SOUTHERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES COUNCIL

Programme of Work 2003/04 ... Continued

6 NEW PROJECTS

6.1 Evaluation of Intermediate Care Services
The Southern Health and Social Services Board is currently conducting an evaluation of the intermediate care services operating within the Southern Board area. The Council has agreed to undertake the aspect of this evaluation relating to patients’ views of the services. The Board has provided funding to enable the Council to employ a Research Assistant for this purpose. Interviewing began in late May and will continue throughout the summer months. The project is due for completion in October 2003.

6.2 Review of Services for people with Dementia
The Board is planning to take forward Phase 2 of its review of services for older people with a review of services for people with dementia in 2003/04. Subject to final agreement the Council will work in partnership with the Board on the project. The role of the Council will primarily be to organise a stakeholder workshop and to support the development of a stakeholder forum. The Council will also be represented on the Project Board giving direction to the project and on the Project Team with responsibility for the development and implementation of the project plan.

6.3 Audit of South Tyrone Day Procedures and Theatre Services
South Tyrone Hospital has requested the assistance of the Council in conducting a consumer audit of the theatre and day procedures departments. The Council has agreed to undertake this audit and will look at areas such as the provision of information, accessibility, waiting facilities etc. Council members will be actively involved in the audit, and the Council will draw on the experience of similar work carried out by the Northern Health and Social Services Council.

6.4 Access to NHS Dental services
There is evidence of increasing problems in accessing NHS general dental services throughout the UK, including Northern Ireland. The Council will initiate a campaign to inform the public of their rights to NHS general dental services, and encourage feedback on the issue of access to services in the Southern Area. If the feedback suggests a need for a more systematic study of patients' experiences of NHS general dental services this will be considered for inclusion in the Councils 2004/05 work programme.

6.5 'The Wheelchair Service' report 1999 - Implementation of the Recommendations
A joint SHSSC/SHSSB report

was published in 1999 and contained a total of 18 recommendations aimed at Green Park Trust, the Board, the Council and health care professionals. The Council will now undertake a review of the implementation of these recommendations, drawing on additional information available to the Council from feedback from wheelchair users in contact with the Council's complaints support service.

6.6 The Way Forward for Public Participation in the HPSS in Northern Ireland
Following on from ‘Developing Better Services’ a second consultation document on HPSS structures is due to be published during 2003. In anticipation of this second consultation document the Council plans to involve the public and service users in a major debate on future arrangements for public participation in the NI HPSS. The work will include:

• A review of the arrangements for public participation being developed in England, Scotland and Wales
• Publication of a public information leaflet on the issue.
• Briefing sessions for former MLAs and local politicians.
• Roadshows aimed at District Council health committees.
• Meetings to be arranged in all major centres of population in the Southern Area.
• Conference on the issue to be organised in conjunction with other Health and Social Services Councils.

7 SUPPORT SERVICES

This relates to the everyday work of the Council, and includes;

• Administration, management and finance.
• Support for Council members.

Priorities for 2002/03 include;

• The provision of training for new members.
• Meeting our requirements in relation to Section 75, and in relation to the Disability Discrimination Act.
• Development of a Publication Scheme as required under the Freedom of Information legislation.

During 2003/04 the Council will continue to meet its obligations in relation to:

• The arrangement and conduct of meetings.
• Management of the Council's financial and other resources.
• Its accountability to the Department.
• Relevant legislative requirements.

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Southern Health and Social Services Council, Quaker Buildings, High Street, Lurgan, Co. Armagh, BT66 8BB
Telephone: (028) 3834 9900  Fax: (028) 3834 9858 -  Minicom: (028) 3834 6488
Freephone: 0800 917 0222 © 2006.
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