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Merged NHS health trusts launch Merged NHS health trusts launch
(about 1 hour later)
Northern Ireland now has just five health trusts, reduced from a total of 18 separate organisations.Northern Ireland now has just five health trusts, reduced from a total of 18 separate organisations.
The government says the aim is to cut back on excessive bureaucracy and bring services closer to the people.The government says the aim is to cut back on excessive bureaucracy and bring services closer to the people.
In Belfast, six health trusts have merged under a single umbrella which began work on Monday.In Belfast, six health trusts have merged under a single umbrella which began work on Monday.
Chief Executive William McKee said it was "a tremendous opportunity to do things differently and to organise services around people not buildings".Chief Executive William McKee said it was "a tremendous opportunity to do things differently and to organise services around people not buildings".
Mr McKee said it also offered the chance to rethink how and why health and social care services are used.Mr McKee said it also offered the chance to rethink how and why health and social care services are used.
"It is also offers the prospect of developing new and stronger partnerships with bodies such as the city council, housing, education and the voluntary and community sector to help make real improvements in people's health and well-being," he said. "It also offers the prospect of developing new and stronger partnerships with bodies such as the city council, housing, education and the voluntary and community sector to help make real improvements in people's health and well-being," he said.
The changes are as a result of the reorganisation of health and care services through the Review of Public Administration.The changes are as a result of the reorganisation of health and care services through the Review of Public Administration.
The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust comprises the City, Royal, Mater, Greenpark, North and West Belfast and South and East Belfast trusts.The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust comprises the City, Royal, Mater, Greenpark, North and West Belfast and South and East Belfast trusts.
The 22,000-staff trust will serve a population of about 340,000 people, spend £3m a day and be one of the biggest local health and care organisations in Europe.The 22,000-staff trust will serve a population of about 340,000 people, spend £3m a day and be one of the biggest local health and care organisations in Europe.
The ambulance service stays unchanged while all the new organisations will be overseen by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.The ambulance service stays unchanged while all the new organisations will be overseen by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.