AN initiative to help prevent people "falling through gaps" in the health service has been launched by a group representing patients and carers in the north.
The Patient and Client Council said its new initiative, launched last week at an event in Belfast's Grand Opera House, aims to help people who have faced a "revolving door" when seeking support.
Its chief executive, Meadhbha Monaghan, said a review that began in 2020 involving partners in the voluntary and community sector, identified areas for improvement in the north's health service.
She said the 'Positive Passporting' initiative involves "involves establishing an informed connection between services, to ensure the most appropriate response to meet user needs, rather than simply redirecting or signposting to another service".
She added: "The aim is to minimise the likelihood of people falling through gaps in services or experiencing a ‘revolving door’ when seeking support to address issues.”
Under the plan, a "network of networks" is being established with partners including the Homeless Prevention Forum, Carers NI and the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People.
"Through this network, the hope is that diversity of experience, expertise and collective voice can be maximised, provide strong evidence-based engagement, drive collective action and ultimately improve outcomes for people," Ms Monaghan said.
Among attendees at the initiative's launch was Stormont's Department of Health permanent secretary Peter May.
“Both the Department of Health and I fully support partnership working which needs to be a central part of the work to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for service users," he said.
