Consultation begins on eHealth and Care strategy

eHealth and Care is part of the transformation and modernisation of health and social services through the use of technology. The purpose of the consultation is to consider how eHealth and Care will support better health and wellbeing from 2015 - 2020.

Welcoming the consultation, Health Minister Jim Wells said:

“I commend the HSC Board on the launch of the eHealth and Care Strategy, which demonstrates a continued focus on the long-term future and transformation of health and social care in Northern Ireland. 

“Northern Ireland’s health and social care system is facing major challenges that affect how it operates now and into the future. We have an ageing population and limited funding and in order to maintain effective services, we must look at how we can maximise the potential of technology to develop and modernise our health and care system to make it more responsive and better focused on the people it serves.

“We have already taken bold steps to use technology in our health and care system, such as the introduction of the Electronic Care Record, which has improved care professionals’ access to patient information. A regional remote telemonitoring programme, which enables people with long-term conditions to monitor their health from home, with access to clinical and professional advice as necessary, is also widely used across Northern Ireland.

“I want to ensure we build on our successes and embrace the potential for new technology to improve the quality of care for patients, social-work clients and other service users.”

In addition to proposals on how to improve health and social care services through the use of information and communication technology, the eHealth and Care Strategy also outlines the potential to promote opportunities that support the Northern Ireland economy.

Launching the consultation at Northern Ireland’s first eHealth and Care Conference, ‘Celebrating Success, Planning for the future’, Valerie Watts, Chief Executive of the Health and Social Care Board said:

“The future of eHealth and Care set out in the strategy ranges from helping people make decisions about their own health and wellbeing; supporting new ways of arranging services around the patient; and improving information flow around the health and social care system to support better and faster decision making. This strategy should touch the lives of all our citizens over the next five years and bring benefits across Northern Ireland.  I would encourage everyone to take part in the public consultation and help us make sure that eHealth and Care makes the best possible contribution to improving health and wellbeing for everyone.”

During the consultation period, the Board will seek the views of patients, clients, families, carers and the general public to help inform decisions about these proposals for the future development and delivery of these important services.

This will include a series of public meetings which will be held:

• Thursday 23 October 2014: Belfast Central Mission, 5 Glengall St, Belfast, BT12 5AD at 2.00pm – 4.30pm
• Thursday 23 October 2014: Belfast Central Mission, 5 Glengall St, Belfast, BT12 5AD at 7.00pm – 9.00pm
• Tuesday 28 October 2014: Newry Conference and Banqueting Centre, 39-41 The Mall, Newry, BT34 1AT at 2.00pm – 4.30pm
• Tuesday 4 November 2014: Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, 24 Main Street, Limavady, BT49 0FJ at 2.00pm – 4.30pm

The closing date for consultation responses is Friday 9 January 2015 at 5.00pm.

Responses or requests for further information or alternative formats should be emailed to [email protected]; or in writing to: eHealth and Care strategy consultation, Health and Social Care Board, 12-22 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT2 8BS or telephone 028 9536 3323.Online consultation responses can also be submitted at: www.surveymonkey.com/S/75Y5VLB

To view the consultation documents visit www.hscboard.hscni.net/consult/