HSCB taking account of health shake-up response

Under the radical health care rationalisation plan ‘Transforming Your Care’ future provision will feature primary care delivered at various primary care hubs like GP practices and health centres. Two new centres are proposed for Londonderry.

The Minister has revealed that the new proposed ‘hub and spoke’ health centres in the Waterside and Cityside will not be built for another decade at the earliest unless private backers come in to build them.

Although a public consultation on ‘Transforming Your Care’ has only just ended Londonderry doctors are now sending patients to their local chemist to be breath-tested for stomach ulcers and to be treated for mouth ulcers, oral thrush, ear wax and cold sores in response for proposals for more community-based health services contained in the reform document.

Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) Chief Executive John Compton said more than 2,000 consultation responses have been received in relation to one of the biggest health and social care reforms for decades.

Over 800 people also attended public meetings and workshops to give their views on the future of services, as part of the formal consultation process.

Mr Compton explained: “It is quite right that for a consultation of this importance, time is taken to analyse and review all the feedback and responses received over the past 14 weeks.

“The Board will then draft a report to be submitted to the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Edwin Poots MLA for consideration.

“At this point no decisions have been made and the Board is firmly committed to ensuring that everyone is kept fully informed as we move forward with Transforming Your Care.”

For further information on Transforming Your Care log onto www.tycconsultation.hscni.net or follow us on Facebook.com/tycconsultation or on Twitter at: @tycconsultation.