Index of Publication Scheme sections:

	Publication Scheme Other languages and formats
	Contents Index
	Part 1 Introduction
	Part 2 Classes of Information
	Part 3 Inspection and Monitoring Bodies

To comply with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, this publication scheme will be made available on request in alternative formats as appropriate.

Northern Health and Social Services Council
Houston's Mill Site
10A Buckna Road
Broughshane
Ballymena
BT42 4NJ

Click here to e-mail us at info@nhssc.n-i.nhs.uk

Part 2: The Classes of Information

The information is grouped into broad categories as follows:

1	The HPSS and where we fit in
2	Who we are
3	Financial and Funding Information
4	Corporate Information
5	Aims, Targets and Achievements
6	Our Services
7	Reports and Independent Enquiries
8	Policies and Procedures
9	Public Involvement and Consultation
10	Communications with the public
11	Complaints
12	Human Resources
13	Environmental Information
14	This Publication Scheme Charges for information Copyright How to obtain information (referral/contact details) Reviewing scheme Disposal and Retention

We will state how you can obtain the information and detail our charging policy in Class 14.

CLASS 1: THE HPSS AND WHERE WE FIT IN

DEFINITION: Planning and other documents outlining how we fit into the HPSS structure.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) is only one of 11 Northern Ireland Departments created in 1999 as part of the Northern Ireland Executive by the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and the Departments (Northern Ireland) Order 1999. The Northern Health and Social Services Council (NHSSC) is part of the DHSSPS family along with other organisation (examples follow):

	There are four Health and Social Services Boards, responsible for assessing the needs of their respective populations and commissioning services.
	The 6 Trusts are the providers of health and social services as commissioned by the four HSS Boards.
	The Local Commissioning Groups are responsible for reflecting the local dimension in the planning and delivery of care.

There are four Health and Social Services Councils in Northern Ireland - one in each health board area. They are known as the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Health and Social Services Councils. Councils are independent organisations which represent the views and opinions of the general public in all areas of health and social services.

The NHSSC is one of four Health and Social Services Councils (HSSCs) in Northern Ireland. It covers the 10 District Council and Borough Council areas of Antrim, Ballymena, Magherafelt, Cookstown, Larne, Carrickfergus, Newtownabbey, Coleraine, Ballymoney and Moyle.

A map detailing the geographical area covered by the NHSSC can be found on our website: Click here for map

Main activities of the Council:

	Provide information and advice on health and social care issues
	Offer advice, information and help to people who want to complain about a service
	Monitor the quality of local services
	Work with local groups to help them give their opinions on health and social services
	Act for the public to improve the range, type and quality of services
	Carry out independent surveys to find out what the public thinks about services
	Regularly visit health and social services facilities

HSSCs were established by legislation in 1991 and are funded directly by the Department of Health and Social Services and Public Safety. They are responsible to the

Each Council produces an Annual Business Programme which is agreed with their respective Board.

Published documents available to members of the public on request:

Other useful links/references:

CLASS 2: WHO WE ARE

DEFINITION: Details of the organisation, organisational structures and key personnel.

Published documents available to members of the public on request:

Other useful references/links: