Health Minister today launched a new large
scale and innovative engagement programme designed to establish a
clear, shared, and credible deal between Northern Ireland's
citizens and the health and social care system.
The Minister visited the Lesley Abbeycentre in Newtownabbey this
morning to take part in a ‘This is our health' event and to hear
the views of individuals.
Commenting, Minister Nesbitt said we all need to consider a
different approach when it comes to building a healthier, more
resilient Northern Ireland.
“This is not a typical public health campaign or survey. We won't
be telling people what we think they should do, they will be
telling us, and that's a significant shift. ‘This is our health'
is very much part of our Reset Plan and links well with the
Neighbourhood Model of care and the need to change and develop
the relationship between people and the health service. These
conversations will help us shape a more sustainable, responsive
and effective health and social care system.”
‘This is our health' is a key part of the Minister's overall
strategic approach to prevention in the Reset Plan reflecting the
important shift of ‘People to Partners.' The programme will
identify what people need most from the health service and the
part they can play in making those services work better.
Minister Nesbitt continued: “Our healthcare resources are
limited, demand is rising and care is becoming more complex.
Through ‘This is our health' people will be telling us what
things help them stay well for longer, what they want the health
service to guarantee, and in turn what they could do to help
protect services going forward. So, freeing up capacity and
protecting vital services will be important outcomes.”
‘This is our health' will be rolled out in every county across
Northern Ireland between now and the end of June and will include
in-person engagement in a range of public spaces and within
community and voluntary groups. People will also be able to
contribute through digital and social media channels, as well as
completing a short questionnaire online.
More details on how you can join the conversation and updates
about the location of upcoming engagement events can be found at
https://thisisourhealth.org.uk/.
Notes to editors
1. The aim of This is Our Health is to listen to people and start
developing an agreed “health and care deal” — an agreement
between the public and the HSC system about how we can all play a
bigger part, so people can live healthier lives and services can
focus their efforts where and when they are needed most.
2. The programme will be rolled out across Northern Ireland
between now and the end of June at events organised by the
Trusts, PHA and the Community and Voluntary sector. It is
designed not only to understand what matters most to people, but
to encourage practical changes in how people look after their
health and use services.
3. Instead of formal consultations, people are being engaged in
public spaces through unexpected formats, including retro-style
arcade machines where they use a joystick to answer questions
about the daily things and the people who help them to stay well.
