The Western Heath and Social Services Board which is based in Derry and commissions and funds the Western Health and Social Care Trust to deliver services, is to go as part of a radical shake-up in the way the health services here are run.
The announcement was made this week in the NI Assembly by the Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey and, while there were no real surprises, the reality that, come April next year, the Western Board will no longer exist, has made people sit up, not least the 196 staff currently employed by the Board which, last year, cost £6,745,000 to run.
It is perceived duplication like that which ushered in, in November 2005, the Review of Public Administration (RPA). Last April, the 18 Health Trusts were scrapped and replaced with five new 'super' Trusts, among them, the Western Health and Social care Trust.
Instead of the present four Health Boards, there will be just one board, to be called, the Regional Health and Social Care Board. The RPA proposals had envisaged that this would be a 2,000 staff Health and Social Care Authority but, Mr McGimpsey knocked that idea on the head. Instead, he has opted for a regional health and social care board that will employ just 400 staff (a significant reduction on the original estimate).
It will come into power in April next year, at the same time as staff in the four Heath Boards are clearing their desks.
Addressing MLAs this week, the Minister explained what he didn't like about the 2,000 staff Health and Social Care Authority.
It did not provide for clear accountability, nor did it exploit the many opportunities for active partnership with District Councils and, what he termed, 'other key stakeholders' in the promotion of improved health.
Here, the Minister was referring to five Local Commissioning Groups whose members, including Councillors, will plan and resource services locally, and five Health and Social Services Councils, otherwise known as, 'the consumer watchdog'. The West is already served by the Western Health and Social Services Council, reflecting the catchment area served by the Western Health and Social care Trust.
The McGimpsey proposals will be put to the NI Executive next Wednesday, with public consultation to follow. But, he clearly was happy he had got the right mix.
"I could not agree with such (the original) proposals without giving them due consideration.
"I wanted to be satisfied that any new structures would be accountable and deliver the best standard of treatment and care for all the citizens of Northern Ireland".
Meanwhile, the chief officer of the Western Health and Social Services Council, Maggie Reilly told the 'Herald' she was impressed that the proposed regional health and social care board will have much more focus than was previously envisaged by the now defunct health and social care authority.
"It has a very distinct focus on commissioning, on performance management and the use of operational resources.
"There is a strong accountability relationship with the Trusts which my Council would strongly welcome".
She also welcomed the extra Council and said that, while initially she saw good in the proposed one regional 'patient and client' Council in that it would have one single voice, she said the Western Council was at the same time concerned if that one regional body could reach out to the community.
"We believe strongly that a (health and social care) Council should remain fairly embedded within its community. In fact, we had a counter proposal: yes, a regional body but, also, the need for five local Councils.
"So, we're very pleased that this Minister has given public recognition to what he said is, the excellent work of the Councils' in representing the public interest in health and social care".
