Health Minister today launched The Health
Deal' a new partnership between the public and the Health and
Social Care (HSC) system, setting out how we can all work
together towards a healthier future.
The deal was shaped through the This is Our Health' initiative,
which engaged with over 11,000 people across Northern Ireland of
all ages and from all walks of life. Those conversations
confirmed what people really want from their health service, and
they also underlined the need for all of us to consider the
impact of our personal health and wellbeing on a system under
pressure.
said: I believe health is a
social contract, and it must be something that is done with
people, not to them. The Health Deal is an important part of that
concept because it recognises that we all have a part to play. We
have engaged extensively and we have listened carefully to what
the public have had to say not just in terms of what the health
and social care system can do to make things better, but what
they feel they can do too.
We've already spoken to over 11,000 people to help shape The
Health Deal. But that's just the start. We all have something to
contribute, and I believe lasting, positive changes will come
from working better together. The Health Deal is the first step
towards that.
The deal includes four initial commitments from the HSC in answer
to the main issues raised during the This is Our Health'
conversations, along with suggestions from the public of what
they can also do to support their health and wellbeing.
The Minister added: We have heard what people want from the
health service and the things they can do to stay well and to
look after others and together, we have made a deal.
We will play our part by making it easier for people to access
appointments when they need them. We will focus on reducing
waiting times across the system and we will make it easier for
people to cancel appointments they no longer need, helping us cut
the number of wasted appointments and reallocate them within our
precious capacity. We will also work to make it easier for people
to be more active and support healthier lifestyles.
We have also got a very clear message from members of the public
about what role they are up for playing in this deal. It's
about taking whatever steps you can to take greater care of
yourself and the people in your life. Even small changes - like
being more active and spending more time outside with those we
care about - can make a big difference when lots of us take those
steps together.
The public are keen to continue this conversation, and this gives
me hope for the future. People want a health service that works
well and delivers for them, but they also want to play their part
in creating healthier lives and healthier communities.
This is Our Health is a Department of Health led programme with
support from the Public Health Agency and HSC partners.
Notes to editors:
- The aim of This is Our Health was to listen to people and
develop a shared health and care promise 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 they are needed most. Over 11,000
responses were recorded as part of a ten-week initiative,
supported by the Community and Voluntary sector. The Health Deal
is the outcome of those conversations. This is our Health(external link
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