Consultations

Consultation period: 5 June – 25 September 2023

The six Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland worked in partnership to develop new Equality and Disability Action Plans for 2023-28.

These equality and disability action plans outline the proposed actions to be taken forward by the Health and Social Care Trusts over the next 5 years to address Section 75 inequalities, and to promote positive attitudes towards people with a disability and to encourage participation in public life. The plans were informed by an audit of inequalities and engagement with experts by experience and key stakeholders.

Trusts sought views on our Equality and Disability Action Plans and welcomed  feedback regarding the potential impact of our proposed actions or how they could be improved. We were keen to hear from anyone – service users, carers, staff and trade unions and valued input from those with lived experience.

A 16 week consultation commenced on 5 June 2023 to 25 September 2023.

Consultation Documents

Consultation letter

Consultation Letter Easy Read

Draft Equality Action Plan

• Draft Equality Action Plan Easy Read
• Equality Action Plan – ISL
• Equality Action Plan – BSL

Draft Disability Action Plan

• Draft Disability Action Plan Easy Read
• Disability Action Plan – ISL
• Disability Action Plan – BSL

Audit of Inequalities

• What do you think – ISL
• What do you think – BSL

Consultees could provide feedback on the draft plans by completing the consultation proforma by clicking this link.

Alternatively we welcomed views in any format through contacting the Equality Team on 07971322028 or consultation@setrust.hscni.net.

Or in writing to the Equality Team at The Sidings, Building 1, Antrim Street, Lisburn, BT28 3AJ.

Consultation period: 8 February 2023 – 3 May 2023

Urgent and emergency care services in Northern Ireland have experienced significant and growing pressures for a number of years, which have been further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Increasing demand, an ageing population and workforce challenges continue to have a significant impact.

The Trust faced increasing challenges with providing safe and sustainable urgent and emergency care services, particularly to the population of Ards and North Down. It was clear that change was required to enable the delivery of sustainable high quality urgent and emergency care.

The Trust held a 12-week public consultation between 8 February and 3 May 2023 to seek public views on the Future Provision of Urgent and Emergency Care Services in the Ards and North Down area.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESS

As part of the consultation, there were a range of opportunities for staff and the local community to provide their views. Further detail on the consultation process can be found in our consultation feedback report.

Consultation documentation is available below:

Consultation Document 

Easy Read Consultation Document

Consultation Questionnaire

In keeping with the commitments in our Equality Scheme we carried out an Equality Screening and Rural Needs Impact Assessment which can be viewed on the following links:

Equality Screening

Rural Needs Impact Assessment

CONSULTATION FEEDBACK

The feedback received during the consultation process was presented to Trust Board on 28 June 2023.  After careful consideration, the Trust Board approved the proposal to deliver a new, 7 days per week Consultant led Urgent Care Centre, alongside the new Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital.

The Trust Board‘s recommendation was considered by the Department of Health, in line with its policy and guidance on change or withdrawal of service.

The Trust welcomed the Department of Health’s decision to approve proposals for the reshaping of urgent and emergency care services on 30 September 2023.

The first phase saw the opening of a Consultant led Minor Injury Unit (MIU) 8am-6pm, 7 days a week at the Ulster Hospital site. This replaced the Minor Injury Unit at Ards Community Hospital and the Minor Injury Unit at Bangor Community Hospital. The Bangor Minor Injury Unit has been closed on a temporary basis since 2020.

The second phase of the plans will involve provision of a full Urgent Care Centre 8am-8pm, 7 days a week, co-located with the new Emergency Department in the Ulster Hospital’s Acute Services Block.

A summary of consultee feedback and the Trust’s response to the feedback can be found in the consultation feedback report available on the link below:

Consultation Feedback Report

The Trust wishes to extend its thanks and appreciation to all those individuals, elected representatives, groups and organisations who responded to the consultation process.

If you have any queries on the consultation please contact the Trust on 028 9055 0434 or email consultation@setrust.hscni.net.

Click here to read the Press Release.

Consultation period: 23 February – 22 April 2022

On Monday 18 October 2021, opening hours at the Lagan Valley Hospital Urgent Care Centre were temporarily changed from 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday, to 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday. A ‘Phone First’ service was also introduced on this date.

The decision to reduce the opening hours by two hours a day was taken by the Trust in response to the significant shortage of suitably qualified emergency medical staff and the ability to maintain high quality standards of care for patients. Patient safety is the Trust’s key priority and there was no alternative to making this decision.

The ‘Phone First’ service involves patients being assessed by a senior doctor over the phone and ensures people receive the right care, first time. This system is being implemented across the Region and is consistent with the Department of Health’s Review of Urgent and Emergency Care Services in Northern Ireland.

The Trust held a public consultation between 23 February and 22 April 2022 to seek public views on the temporary changes outlined above.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESS

As part of the consultation, there were a range of opportunities for staff and the local community to provide their views.  Further detail on the consultation process can be found in our consultation feedback report.

Consultation documentation is available below:

Link to Consultation Document 

Link to easy read document

Link to Consultation questionnaire

In keeping with the commitments in our Equality Scheme, we carried out an Equality Screening and Rural Needs Impact Assessment which can be viewed on the following links:

Link to Equality Screening

Link to Rural Needs Impact Assessment

CONSULTATION OUTCOME

The feedback received during the consultation process was presented to Trust Board on 29 June 2022.  After careful consideration, the Trust Board approved the following recommendations:

• Continue with the temporary reduction in opening hours.
• Continue with the Phone First system.
• Temporarily rename the facility as an ‘Urgent Care Centre’ to better reflect the services currently delivered.

The above recommendations were made in the absence of any suggestions of viable alternatives to address the significant shortage of suitably qualified emergency medical staff during the consultation process, and to ensure we maintain high quality, safe standards of care for patients.

The Trust continues to monitor the ongoing impact of the temporary changes and will continue to make every effort to address the staffing challenges we face.

A summary of consultee feedback and the Trust’s response to the feedback can be found in the consultation feedback report available on the link below:

Link to Consultation Feedback Report

The Trust wishes to extend its thanks and appreciation to all those individuals, elected representatives, groups and organisations who responded to the consultation process.

If you have any queries please contact the Trust on 028 9055 0434 or email consultation@setrust.hscni.net.