Research

Children as Complainants in the Health and Personal Social Services in Northern Ireland

The four Health and Social Services Councils funded Queens University to undertake a six month study into how well the Health, Social Services and Public Safety systems respond to complaints made by or about children and young people in Northern Ireland.

Complaints about the treatment of children and young people may arise within the post 1996 `Wilson Complaints procedures’ or within the post 1995 Children Order procedure. The study investigated the operation of the two systems within Health and Social Services Trusts in Northern Ireland with regard to complaints made by or on behalf of children and young people and looked at the importance of such systems in upholding children’s rights. Click here to read the report in full.

Cervical Screening Programme

Research commenced, in association with Northern Health and Social Services Board, into the Cervical Screening Programme. The aim of the project is to identify the reasons for attendance and non-attendance in the cervical screening programme, understanding of the cervical screening programme and to assess GP practices in the Northern area against selected national quality standards.

Each GP Practice was asked to systematically random select a percentage of women from their present cervical screening list.
Questionnaires were then issued to women in the participating GP practices. GPs were also asked to complete a separate questionnaire. Four focus groups of women participants were arranged.

The results of the questionnaires and focus group work will be used to develop local action plans to improve cervical screening coverage rates, to increase the acceptability of the programme, develop good practice, inform the provision of information to women and inform the cervical training programme. Once the project is completed, the report will be published on www.nhssc.org