HEALTH Minister Michelle O’Neill says radical change to Northern Ireland’s under pressure health service will “change the picture” in Fermanagh. 
The Minister announced a 10 year road map to transform the health and social care system on Tuesday describing the service as being at “breaking point.”
Hospital closures are not envisaged in the action plan, but there will be a reconfiguration of the services provided by the network of existing facilities.
The Health and Well-being 2016: Delivering Together document, in response to an independent analysis of the struggling system by a panel of experts, is short on definitive targets and detailed goals, and is not costed.
Minister O’Neill said it was crucial to redesign the system in conjunction with health service workers and patients, with agreed actions only materialising after that engagement is conducted.
One of the more short-term objectives is the formulation of a plan by January to tackle lengthy waiting lists.
The plan emphasises the need to improve the health of the wider population with preventative steps and also to provide more care away from acute hospital settings.

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Criteria will be developed to determine how to redesign the delivery of specific services such as stroke, diabetes and pathology. Five services will be examined each year of the plan.
Following her announcement, Sinn Fein’s Michelle Gildernew welcomed the Minister’s report, in particular its focus on mental health and children.

Impartial Reporter:

Sinn Fein MLA Michelle Gildernew. 

The Fermanagh-south Tyrone MLA told the House: “The Minister is aware that there is a lot of pressure in the system on nurses, social workers and other front-line staff. You are aware of the increasing pressure on GP practices in rural areas, particularly in Fermanagh.”
“Do you see the increase in the number of GP training places having a very positive influence on the delivery of the report, given that most people’s point of contact is their GP?” she asked.

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“Absolutely,” replied Minister O’Neill. “This is about trying to address the challenges for GP services.”
“The fact that GPs have a team around them that can interact and that can rely on one another will make a significant difference to primary care. Staff are working even harder and are under a lot of pressure, so we have to get this right. 
“I constantly hear about social workers going home and having to sit up until 2am writing up reports. That is not sustainable for anybody’s working pattern. Furthermore, we have a real opportunity to make sure that primary care is embedded, multidisciplinary and action-based,” she said. 

Impartial Reporter:

Richie McPhillips, SDLP. 

Speaking to Stormont Files, SDLP MLA Richie McPhillips said: “The rationalisation of acute services remains an area of concern for me, especially in considering the South West Acute Hospital’s stroke services. The Minister, and indeed the report itself, is very quiet on this issue.”