Patient and Client Council

Plans to replace the current Health and Social Services Councils in April 2008 with a Patient and Client Council (PCC) continued. During the year a Project Team was established which considered a draft paper, prepared by Chief Officers, on the Role, Responsibilities and Function. The paper had been informed by HSSC experiences, the joint Conference, what was happening elsewhere and the Minister’s vision resulting from the Review of Public Administration. Instructions to Counsel were drafted and a paper outlining a draft structure prepared by Chief Officers.

The Chief Officers of the Northern and Southern Health and Social Services Councils hosted a workshop as part of a consultation exercise being undertaken by the Community Development and Health Network on behalf of the Health and Social Services Councils on patient and client advocacy in the new Patient and Client Council and in November 2006, at a joint Council Seminar, members were introduced to Dr Bernie Stuart, Director of Special Projects, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety who had been given the responsibility for taking forward the Patient and Client Council.

From November 2006 The Review of Public Administration Co-Ordination Team and the Health and Social Services Councils were in discussion to agree a way forward on public consultation regarding the health reform programme. A series of focus groups and consultation exercises, facilitated by the Health and Social Services Councils, were held across the four Council areas.

By seeking the views of our key stakeholders - political parties, local newspapers, Council members, statutory organisations and community and voluntary sector organisations we were able to provide an informed response, specifically in relation to the Patient and Client Council, to the consultation on a Draft Health and Personal Social Services (Reform) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007.

This Order is the cornerstone of the Review of Public Administration health and social care reforms and provides the legal authority for a new Patient and Client Council to replace the four existing Health and Social Services Councils. It also provides legal authority for the Patient and Client Council to have specific functions within the provision of health and social care in Northern Ireland. So what will it do? It will be an independent body which will:

	represent the interests of the public
	promote involvement of the public
	provide advocacy services and
	provide advice and information to the public about the design, commissioning and delivery of services

From our consultation with stakeholders the expectations of the Patient and Client Council were an organisation that:

	is independent and properly funded
	is visible and accessible locally
	is competent and respected
	helps people be better informed
	has an effective advocacy voice
	provides feedback to the public
	makes a real difference
	is clear and transparent

Feedback from the consultation exercise was given at a regional workshop held in March 2007 with the key issues from around the province featured in the themes for discussion in the group work sessions.