New plan for integrated care system welcomed

​The proposal of a new Northern Area Change Plan from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has been welcomed by elected members.

The prototype plans to deliver an integrated care system for the region which will offer a more engaging way of delivery at a regional level, area level, locality level and neighbourhood level.

It will involve Local Commissioning Groups, councils, community pharmacy, GPs and the community and voluntary sectors, with the aim of improving the way healthcare is delivered in the borough.

The Change Plan will facilitate a higher level of Council involvement in the delivery of health care within the borough. This prototype fits very well with community planning and will enable the Trust and Community Planning Partners to more actively address the social determinants of health.

Chair of the Council’s Direct Services Committee, Councillor Cheryl Johnston, said: “I welcome this plan and a focus on prevention.

“For too long it has been reacting to circumstances as opposed to being proactive in preventing them.”