Chief Officer's Report

The sign in the window said ‘we have moved’. The premises occupied for so many years were no longer suited to our needs so the opportunity was taken at the end of lease to seek alternative accommodation. In July 2006 we relocated to Broughshane, an area well known for community involvement.

But this wasn’t the only change affecting the Northern Health and Social Services Council. The Review of Public Administration had recommended that the four Councils should become a single more powerful body. During the year a lot of work has gone into consultation regarding the change and planning for the change. Decisions on the new structures and the timescales will be taken by the Minister in due course and the process of developing frameworks, roles and structures will continue. I thank my staff for their patience during a time of some uncertainty and for their continuing focus on the work the Council does on behalf of the public.

Of course at the same time other areas of health and social care have restructured. The three Trusts in our area have become one – The Northern Health and Social Care Trust. We have met the Chair and Chief Executive of the new Trust to establish and agree relationships between the respective organisations and this is working well.

Next year will be one of continuing change as RPA rolls forward and the Northern HSS Council will meet the challenge while continuing to provide a service for patients, clients and their wider families. The Northern Ireland Assembly, the Minister and the Health Committee gives us a greater opportunity to bring to their attention matters of importance concerning health and social care.

NOEL GRAHAM
CHIEF OFFICER