Planning has already started on preparing for winter pressures in the health system in Northern Ireland following a "particularly difficult" few months, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has said.
At the first of four events to prepare next winter’s plan, the Minister said the lessons from recent months will help shape the future with the aim of improving patient and staff experiences.
“While there are intensive pressures on services all year round, there is no doubt that the experiences in recent months have been particularly difficult," he said.
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Mr Nesbitt continued: “The pressures we see in our EDs are a symptom of a system that needs to work more effectively together in response to changing population needs. Today is an opportunity to explore the challenges we have faced, the root causes of these challenges and the impact on our workforce and on the patients.
“It is very important that we identify all the hurdles that are getting in the way of improved patient flow through hospitals and work together as a system to address them as effectively as possible.”
A further three workshops are planned in the coming months, with the goal of finalising and publishing the next winter plan in the summer.
Invitees for today’s event include senior HSC Trust and Department of Health officials, as well as professional bodies representing health service clinical staff, and representatives from the independent social care sector.
The Health Minister added: “We have to be realistic about what is attainable within the immediate future, particularly in the current financial context.
“However, I am certain that there is more that can be done within available resources. That is what today is about - ensuring winter planning will receive sustained attention and collective action from the whole health and social care system.”
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