AQW 6696/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 16/02/2024
Answered On Date: 01/03/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health how his Department will ensure that the relationship between the statutory funders of services and the voluntary and community sector becomes more of a partnership rather than a purchasing relationship, as per recommendations within the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care Services.

Answer:

While my Department is currently in the process of analysing all of the recommendations within the Independent Review, I recognise the vital contribution made by the voluntary and community sector (VCS) and the need for us to work in partnership together to address the health and social care needs of the population of Northern Ireland.

My officials have held initial discussions with the Re-imagine Children’s Collective with a view to agreeing how the relationship between the HSC and the VCS can be improved. A further meeting is planned on 11 March, where the focus of the discussion will be on working in partnership with the sector as recommended by Professor Ray Jones.

The Integrated Care System (ICS) Programme model has also been co-produced with a range of stakeholders including significant input from the Voluntary and Community sector. The programme continues to be supported by a Voluntary and Community Sector Workstream representing the views of the sector in the programme’s ongoing work.

The sector forms an integral part of the ICS, being represented at both regional level and through local Area Integrated Partnership Boards.