The Health Minister has announced an extension to the closing
date of the consultation on the reconfiguration framework for
hospitals.
The consultation, “Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better
Outcomes”, was launched on 2 October and will now run until 28
February 2025. It was previously due to close on 19
February.
Health Minister said it was important to allow
additional time for the public to engage in the consultation
process: "The decision to extend the closing date for the
consultation takes into account the Christmas period and allows
people more time to consider their response to the
proposals.
“Since I took up this post more than six months ago, I
have been clear about my ambition to deliver better outcomes for
patients, service users and our healthcare
workforce.
“Reconfiguration is not about cutting costs or closing
hospitals. It's about managing change in a controlled way to
ensure that our citizens, wherever they live in
Northern Ireland, receive the right treatment in the right place,
at the right time.
“Our hospitals have a stronger and better future as part
of a Northern Ireland network of care. It should also be
emphasised that the hospital network document does not propose
any changes to any hospital services. Its purpose is to provide a
basis and context for any future decisions.”
Following a public event in Newtownards last week, two further
in-person events have been confirmed for the Western and Belfast
Health and Social Care Trust areas. The meeting focusing on
hospital services within the Western Trust will be held at the
Silverbirch Hotel in Omagh on 15 January. The event for the
Belfast Trust area will be held in the Ramada by Wyndham Hotel,
Talbot Street, Belfast, on 21 January. In addition, an online
event will take place on 11 February. Dates for events in the
Northern and Southern Trust areas will be confirmed in due
course.
The meetings will provide information about the proposals, answer
questions from the public, and encourage participation in the
consultation process.
The Health Minister added: “It's vital that we have as
wide an engagement as possible with communities, the health and
social care workforce, and society as a whole about our plans for
the reconfiguration of the hospital network. By listening to each
other and working together, we can create a network of care that
meets the needs of everyone.”
Details on how to register can be found below:
- Western Health and Social Care Trust: 15 January 2025, 7:00
PM – 9:00 PM, Silverbirch Hotel, 5 Gortin Rd, Tyrone, Omagh BT79
7DH.
- Belfast Health and Social Care Trust: 21 January 2025, 7.00pm
– 9.00pm, Ramada by Wyndham Hotel, Talbot Street, Belfast,
Belfast BT1 2LD.
- Online event: 11 February 2025, 7.00pm-9.00pm.
- Register for the events at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/public-consultation-events-hospital-network-3916073
- Please view the consultation details and complete the
questionnaire online at https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/doh-1/hospitals-creating-a-network-for-better-outcomes/
or share your views via email at rebuildinghsc.services@health-ni.gov.uk
Notes to editors:
- For more information and to register for the event, please
visit https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/public-consultation-events-hospital-network-3916073
