SINN Féin MLA Maeve McLaughlin has welcomed a commitment from the health minister to bring forward plans for reform of the health and social care system.
DUP Health Minister Simon Hamilton is expected to announce today a major shake up in the North’s health care system.
He is expected to outline a new “streamlined” management structure for the health care system.
Speculation is rife that health and social care boards will be axed which will mean the likes of Derry’s Western Trust will report directly to the Department of Health, removing one layer of red tape.
Ms McLaughlin: The chair of the Assembly’s health committee said: “Sinn Féin has been calling for the reform of the health and social care system for a number of years to improve the health service for everyone.
“I wrote to the minister asking him to outline his plans for reform of the system to meet the challenges we are currently facing and he has now responded saying he intends to outline his plans shortly.
“There is a clear need for structural reform to address the duplication and confusion in the system.
“The minister needs to tackle the tiers in the service and ensure that bureaucracy does not come before the needs of patients.
“I welcome that commitment and look forward to hearing the minister’s proposals.”
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