Hospital Network consultation date extended
The Health Minister has announced an extension to the closing date of the consultation on the reconfiguration framework for hospitals.
The consultation, “Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes”, was launched on 2 October and will now run until 28 February 2025. It was previously due to close on 19 February.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said it was important to allow additional time for the public to engage in the consultation process:
“The decision to extend the closing date for the consultation takes into account the Christmas period and allows people more time to consider their response to the proposals.
“Since I took up this post more than six months ago, I have been clear about my ambition to deliver better outcomes for patients, service users and our healthcare workforce.
“Reconfiguration is not about cutting costs or closing hospitals. It’s about managing change in a controlled way to ensure that our citizens, wherever they live in Northern Ireland, receive the right treatment in the right place, at the right time.
“Our hospitals have a stronger and better future as part of a Northern Ireland network of care. It should also be emphasised that the hospital network document does not propose any changes to any hospital services. Its purpose is to provide a basis and context for any future decisions.”
Following a public event in Newtownards, two further in-person events have been confirmed for the Western and Belfast Health and Social Care Trust areas. The meeting focusing on hospital services within the Western Trust will be held at the Silverbirch Hotel in Omagh on 15 January. The event for the Belfast Trust area will be held in the Ramada by Wyndham Hotel, Talbot Street, Belfast, on 21 January. In addition, an online event will take place on 11 February. Dates for events in the Northern and Southern Trust areas will be confirmed in due course.
The meetings will provide information about the proposals, answer questions from the public, and encourage participation in the consultation process.
The Health Minister added: “It’s vital that we have as wide an engagement as possible with communities, the health and social care workforce, and society as a whole about our plans for the reconfiguration of the hospital network. By listening to each other and working together, we can create a network of care that meets the needs of everyone.”
Details on how to register can be found below:
- Western Health and Social Care Trust: 15 January 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Silverbirch Hotel, 5 Gortin Rd, Tyrone, Omagh BT79 7DH.
- Belfast Health and Social Care Trust: 21 January 2025, 7.00pm – 9.00pm, Ramada by Wyndham Hotel, Talbot Street, Belfast, Belfast BT1 2LD.
- Online event: 11 February 2025, 7.00pm-9.00pm.
- Register for the events at this link: Public Consultation events – Hospital Network | Eventbrite
- Please view the consultation details and complete the questionnaire online at https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/doh-1/hospitals-creating-a-network-for-better-outcomes/(external link opens in a new window / tab) or share your views via email at rebuildinghsc.services@health-ni.gov.uk
Notes to editors:
- For more information and to register for the event, please visit Public Consultation events – Hospital Network | Eventbrite
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