April
2002
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Described as `an enjoyable experience’
the visit to Linden House, Newtownabbey, provided an insight into
a most innovative project for young people with serious anti-social
behaviour, young offenders and those at serious risk of offending. |
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No more trekking to Belfast and Londonderry. A Low
Vision Clinic at the Braid Valley Hospital, Ballymena caters for all
those people whose vision cannot be further improved through wearing
glasses. Keep up the good work Arnold (Optometrist) and Jenny (Senior
Rehabilitation Worker) |
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Staff got to grips with spreadsheets, databases
and powerpoint. What next? |
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Newly appointed members were briefed on their new
role. |
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Travelling north, the Chairman and Chief Officer
rubbed shoulders with First Minister, Rt Hon David Trimble MP MLA
and Deputy First Minister, Mr Mark Durkan MLA when they officially
opened Causeway Hospital. |
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In the surroundings of one of the first planned
settlements in Ireland and amidst a collection of Seamus Heaney’s
work in Bellaghy Bawn, members met with Sean Henry, Community Relations
Officer with Magherafelt District Council. Sean provided an insight
into the local area, flagging up local health and services issues. |
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Agenda items surrounded Priorities for Action 2002/2003
when members met with United Hospitals Trust Board. “There
has been a huge reduction in the number of beds over the last 5-10yrs,
we need to increase bed capacity and look at delayed discharges”
commented Bernard Mitchell, the Trust’s Chief Executive. |
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As You See It . . . . . . . . Council staff carried
out an audit from a patient’s perspective on Antrim Hospital’s
Accident and Emergency Department as part of an application for Health
Service Accreditation award. |
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“Do you know what the NHSSC role is?”
This was the question posed by Information/Complaints Officer, Jacqueline
McNeill, when she outlined the Council’s role within the complaints
procedure at Causeway Trust’s handling complaints training for
staff. |
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May
2002
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Addressing members on village life in
Cullybackey and providing details of a village survey were Bill Matthews,
Chairman of Cullybackey Environmental Improvement Association and
Billy Boyd, Secretary of Cullybackey Residents Association. |
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Staff furthered their IT skills in internet and
e-mail use |
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The Chief Officer headed to Ballymoney to outline
the Council’s role to the local Borough Councillors. |
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Elderly care facilities Greenisland House and Rathmoyle
in Ballycastle were visited. Thumbs up for standard of care but some
refurbishment recommended. |
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June
2002
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Out in full force to meet members in
Glengormley were Gregg Martin, Wilma Neilly and Madge Reid from Newtownabbey
Senior Citizens Forum. Their foresight in asking Forum members to
complete a short questionnaire provided a useful snapshot of local
health and social services issues. |
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A report outlining the result of a DHSSPS investigation
into the retention of organs by hospitals was published. NHSSC had
highlighted misinformation, confusion and distrust surrounding the
processes of death certification, pathology and coroners services
and had called for the availability of clear, concise and accessible
information. “The service needs to be made more human, in
terms of fully recognising and appreciating the grieving process and
vulnerability relatives experience at this time.” |
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Congratulations to Homefirst Community Trust on
the opening of the new purpose built Magherafelt Day Centre. Staffing
was a problem flagged up when members visited, however, the Trust
has given an assurance that levels will be kept under review. |
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Bairbre de Brun, Minister for Health, Social Services
and Public Safety, published her proposals for modernising hospital
services and reforming the organisational structures of the HPSS.
One sentence was of particular relevance to Health and Social Services
Councils `the four HSS Councils should be replaced by a single,
statutory consumer body.’ |
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Several members of staff tried their hand at sign
language when they participated in deaf awareness training. They gained
a basic understanding of deafness and of communication with deaf and
hard of hearing people. |
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Those members who visited the Northern Ireland Blood
Transfusion Service did not miss their opportunity to encourage others
to enrol as blood donors. |
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Thinking caps donned, members attended a workshop
to look at any gaps in their knowledge of the NHSSC, how the Council
conducted its business and visiting. |
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Taking on the hot seats of Chairman and Vice-Chairman
were Joe McFadden and Tom Creighton. “I look forward to
my new role and will do my best to represent the interests of the
public in all areas of health and social services,” commented
Tom. |
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July
2002
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What a great way to start the holiday
season. Bairbre de Brun, Minister for Health, Social Services and
Public Safety, announced a £152.7 million health investment
package. 24 additional medical beds, a new Chemotherapy Unit, a new
CT scanner and 4 additional dialysis stations for Antrim Hospital,
the installation of a CT scanner at Mid-Ulster Hospital, Magherafelt
and the upgrading of acute admission facilities and refurbishment
of wards at Holywell Hospital. |
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Noel Graham, Chief Officer, jetted off to sunny
Bournemouth to attend the Association of Community Health Councils
for England and Wales Annual Conference. Several hundred representatives
from Community Health Councils throughout England and Wales gathered
to discuss key issues affecting the National Health Service with colleagues
from the voluntary sector, NHS, local and national government organisations. |
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End of the road for traditional meals service? Members
commented on the options put forward by Homefirst Community Trust
for the future provision of the domiciliary meals service. |
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August
2002
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To help inform discussion on `Developing
Better Services – Modernising Hospitals and Reforming Structures’,
Councils welcomed to Northern Ireland the Chairs and Directors of
the Association for Health Councils in Scotland, England and Wales
for update on the position in each of the 4 countries. With Welsh
Assembly strengthening CHC roles and England abolishing CHCs in favour
of new structures the NHSSC believes that Northern Ireland needs a
strong regional health and social services consumer organisation with
good local links. |
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Helped staff from reception services at Antrim Hospital
to go that extra mile by assisting them with their application for
Charter Mark. Reception services standards were reviewed and commented
upon from a patient’s perspective. |
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September
2002
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Welcoming members to the monthly meeting
in Cookstown was the District Council Chairman and former member,
Patsy McGlone. High on his agenda were the future of Mid-Ulster Hospital,
Magherafelt and inadequate care in community funding. |
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The Safeway Store in Cookstown was the first venue
for a series of information stands across the Northern Board area.
Leaflets on the Council’s role were distributed to the public
and advice given on health and social services matters. Before the
month was out we also visited Supervalu in the seaside town of Portstewart. |
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The Council said farewell to fellow members Jean
Boyd, Jenny Robinson, Rosemary Simpson and John McGillan. |
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A warm welcome was extended to Norma Evans, new
Chief Executive of Causeway Trust at the annual meeting with Causeway
Trust Board. At the meeting Joe McFadden, Chairman, commented
“like the Trust this Council would like to see the fundamental
problem addressed. It is totally unacceptable that people are having
to wait for elective surgery because patients fit for discharge are
taking up beds.” |
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The ‘On Board’ induction training became
a must for members. Run by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance
and Accountancy (CIPFA) the course provides the basic information
necessary to enable those appointed as members to understand and fulfil
their roles. |
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October
2002
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Popping up all over the place, the information
stand could be found in the Co-op, Ballycastle, Safeway in Ballyclare
and the Co-op in Larne.. |
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The opportunity was taken to promote the Council’s
role within the complaints procedure in the Dealing Positively with
Complaints Workshops hosted by United Hospitals Trust. |
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For the first time Council contributed to complaints
training for staff in the Homefirst Community Trust. `Your Views Matter’
is the title of the new leaflet produced by the Trust which asks people
to think about services they have received and give their opinion,
whether it be a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint. |
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`To develop a system of public administration
which fully meets the needs of the people in Northern Ireland’
was the purpose of the Review of Public Administration. In the first
phase of engagement the four Health and Social Services Councils met
the Review Team to discuss the most important issues both current
and future, for public consultation, service delivery and accountability
in Northern Ireland. |
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The Regional Disablement Services at Belfast’s
Musgrave Park Hospital were given the once over. Members viewed the
comprehensive range of wheelchairs and aids available and got to grips
with the funding arrangement between Green Park, the Northern Health
and Social Services Board and Trusts. |
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“A home with a family flavour”
was how members described Newhaven following their visit to the residential
scheme in Cookstown which aims to help people with mental health needs
achieve independent living in the community. |
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From midnight on 14 October 2002, the Secretary
of State for Northern Ireland suspended the NI Assembly and the Executive.
The Secretary of State, assisted by his team of NI Office Ministers
assumed responsibility for all NI departments. Des Brown, MP, took
on responsibility for Health, Social Services and Public Safety. |
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November
2002
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Staff and members gave a warm welcome
to Jean Jefferson, newly appointed Chairman of Causeway Trust. |
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The Information Stand hit the road again, appearing
at Sainsburys in Ballymena and the Tesco Stores in Newtownabbey and
Ballymoney. |
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Chief Officer, Noel Graham took to the podium to
talk about public involvement at the official launch of the Northern
Ireland Practice Accreditation Pilot Scheme. The Northern Health and
Social Services Board is helping local GP practices gain accreditation
through the Scheme run jointly with the Royal College of General Practitioners
(NI). The Scheme aims to raise standards across a wide range of primary
care services provided by GP Practices. |
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A tour of the recently refurbished Bone Marrow
Transplant Unit, Haemophilia Day Care Unit and the Haematology Laboratory
at the Belfast City Hospital provided a wealth of information. A new
pharmacy will also be provided nearby and it and the Lab will serve
the new Cancer Centre. |
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The Human Organs Enquiry Line was officially launched
by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Anyone
seeking information, wanting to talk over concerns or to discuss their
support needs in relation to the retention of organs and tissues should
telephone Freephone 0808 800 8810, e-mail enquiries@organretention.info
or visit the website www.organretention.org Health and Social Services
Councils are also on hand to help. |
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In the picturesque coastal village of Cushendun,
Glenmona Resource Centre provided the perfect venue for the monthly
Council meeting. Denis McKay, Secretary of North Antrim Community
Network and a user representative on the Causeway Local Health and
Social Care Group spoke about local facilities and services. A native
of Scotland, Denis does his utmost to promote community development
in the heart of The Glens. |
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The annual assignment of wallet cards was issued
to local Trusts. The handy-sized card lists contact details for the
NHSSC and is issued to people accessing services through first appointments. |
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December
2002
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With public bodies now legally required
to `risk manage’ staff underwent risk management awareness.
The Chief Officer, Noel Graham, on the Council’s behalf, is
involved with Board and Trust officers in identifying areas of risk
within health and personal social services. A Register of Risks together
with their likelihood and impact has been drawn up. |
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Spreading the word was not limited to shopping centres
and Trusts, the information stand was displayed at Loughgiel Millenium
Centre, the venue for the local community group’s health promotion
day and a presentation on the role of the NHSSC was given to NVQ Health
and Social Care students from The East Institute of Further and Higher
Education, Antrim Campus. |
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DHSSPS family get together. Joe McFadden and Noel
Graham joined other Chairs and Chief Executives of health and social
services bodies at a reception in Hillsborough Castle, hosted by the
Minister, Des Brown MP, to hear about his agenda and priorities for
the coming months. |
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The first consignment of personalised library book
carrier bags reached Ballymena. Ordered by the North Eastern Education
and Library Board, the Council along with other organisations took
advertising space on the bag. Ardent readers in the NEELB area should
now be offered a bag free of charge to protect their books while in
transit. |
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January
2003
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Please leave a message after the tone
. . . . . . . . the answering machine messages for Homefirst Community
Trust Dental Clinics were assessed, a report compiled of the findings
and recommendations made. |
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A first for Northern Ireland is Causeway’s
Breathe Easy Group. The Group’s Chairman, Wilson McIntrye described
the Group as `a voice for people who live every day fighting for
breath’. A staggering 82,000 adults suffer from chronic
lung disease in Northern Ireland and lung disease accounts for 1 in
4 deaths in Northern Ireland. Anyone interested in attending one of
the meetings or in setting up a Group should contact Wilson on 028
7035 8723. |
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In Garvagh representatives from the Development
Trust spoke about the local area, highlighting in particular the limited
availability of childminding and crèche facilities, poor support
for carers, poor community care and lengthy waits for PAMS services. |
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Pressures, pressures, pressures, a word commonly
used within health and social services. Taking members through the
details of the Northern Health and Social Services Board’s Winter
Pressures Plan was Alan Marsden. The Plan, drawn up by the Board and
local Trusts, helps manage peaks in demand, particularly during the
winter months but now often experienced at different times during
the year. |
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A quiet weekend for some but not for those members
and staff involved in the 24hr Casualty Watch at Antrim Hospital.
From 9.00am on Friday 17th through to 9.00am on Saturday 18th the
activity within the department was observed. Feedback was collated
and a number of recommendations made and shared with United Hospitals
Trust and the Northern Health and Social Services Board. |
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The Freedom of Information Act demands that health
and social services bodies must supply the public with information
it holds. Over the coming months staff will be putting in place a
publication scheme which lists the classes of information that it
holds. From the end of October 2003 everyone will have right of access
to the information published under each publication scheme. |
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Staff were reminded of their legal duty to protect
the confidentiality of patient and client information at Information
Sessions on Data Protection and the Northern Health and Social Services
Board’s Information Communication and Technology Security and
Contingency Policy. |
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From Hotel to Adult Centre. Larne Adult Centre opened
in April 1987, after extensive renovations from a Hotel to a Centre
catering for people with learning disabilities. Some attend various
work placements within the Larne area and participate in the wide
range of activity. Thanks for the visit and keep up the good work. |
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Kids, kids and more kids. That’s exactly who
the Child Development Centre at Robinson Hospital, Ballymoney, deals
with. Focusing on the needs of children with chronic health disorders,
disability or special needs, the Centre provides a vital link between
hospital and community. Visiting members recommended better signage
otherwise the overall impression was of a professional, competent
and caring environment. |
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February
2003
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“Our work is based upon community
development principles, such as social isolation, equality and active
participation,” explained Ruth Stewart, Community Development
Officer with the South Antrim Rural Network (SARN) when she met members
at the monthly Council meeting in Toome. Membership of SARN is open
to all community and voluntary organisations within the rural regions
of Antrim, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus and Lisburn. To become a member
contact the SARN office on 028 9447 8645 to request a membership form. |
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Thanks to Chief Audiologist, Keith Fotheringham
for the overview and tour of the Audiology Department at Ballymena’s
Braid Valley Hospital. This service operates across the Northern Board
area, delivering a complete diagnostic facility in conjunction with
the Ear, Nose and Throat service. |
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Another first for Broughshane! Wilson House Resource
Centre in Broughshane, opened in 1954 as the first purpose built residential
unit in Northern Ireland. It closed as a residential facility in 1992
and re-opened as a Resource Centre in 1993, providing day care for
people with physical disabilities, learning difficulties, mental illness
and the elderly. The specialist unit for people with dementia certainly
impressed the Visiting Team. As in the rest of the village horticulture
is very popular and produce can be purchased at the annual open day.
Adults spoken to during the visit spoke highly of the Centre. |
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Changes ahead as decision announced on the future
of hospital services. Noel Graham, Chief Officer, commented “it
is to be welcomed that decisions have finally been taken and planning
and progress can now take place. The Council will be considering all
of the decisions and liaising with the Northern Health and Social
Services Board and Trusts in their planning and implementation.” |
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The annual joint meeting with Northern Health and
Social Services Board members offered an ideal opportunity to seek
the Board’s views on the Minister’s announcement on the
restructuring of hospital services. Indeed
the Board was pleased that the Minister had broadly supported its
recommendations for changes to local hospital services as set out
in its proposals in 1998 in `Towards a Better Future.’ Commenting
on the meeting Joe McFadden, Chairman said “the Northern
Health and Social Services Board assesses the health and social care
needs of local people and plans, secures and pays for services to
meet those needs. It is therefore important that the NHSSC knows what’s
planned and passes on the public’s views or concerns.” |
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March
2003
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The Client Council at Carrickfergus
Day Centre is a great way to involve those who attend the Centre.
During the visit members were invited to sit-in on one of their meetings.
Located on the site of the former Carrickfergus Hospital, the Centre
provides services to older people and those with an addiction, a personality
disorder, brain injury, sensory impairment, physical disability, dementia,
learning disability or mental illness. |
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HIP, HWIP, a couple of the new abbreviations being
used within health and social services. As a partner in the Northern
Investing for Health Partnership, members met with Elaine O’Doherty
to discuss HIP, or in full the Health Improvement Plan 2003-2008.
This is the primary vehicle for taking forward locally the province-wide
Investing for Health Strategy to help further improve the health and
well-being in the area, particularly for those who are most vulnerable
or at greatest risk. This Plan will help inform the Northern Health
and Social Services Board’s Health and Wellbeing Investment
Plan, more commonly known as HWIP. |
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Robert Lee, a project worker with Carrickfergus
Neighbourhood Development Group and Elizabeth Brisbane, from Disability
Action, joined members at the monthly Council meeting in Carrickfergus.
Local issues included delays in housing adaptations, accessing hospital
services within an hour from locations such as Islandmagee and Whitehead
and lengthy waits for services such as podiatry. |
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Serious but not Critical– staff visited Antrim
Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit to undertake an audit as part
of the Unit’s Charter Mark application. |
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Under the knife was certainly not the case for members
as they experienced the patient’s journey when visiting Causeway
Hospital’s Day Procedure Unit. The Unit provides a patient-centred
service for Causeway patients who require surgical or medical procedures
which do not necessitate an overnight hospital stay. |
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The annual meeting took place between the Council
and Homefirst Community Trust. Issues discussed included mental health
services, addictions, child psychiatry and support for people within
the community. Joe McFadden commented “I was particularly
pleased to see the major investment proposals in mental health services
and the continued commitment to patients and clients.” |
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