Media Release

30^th March 2007
Embargoed: 00:01 2^nd April 2007

‘Business as Usual’ – but help if it’s needed

It will be business as usual for people using health and social care services in Belfast, despite the new management arrangements which come into effect this week.

The six existing health and social services trusts in the Belfast area – the Royal, the Mater, the City Hospital, Greenpark Trust, and North and West and South and East Belfast Trusts have merged to become the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

“Appointments, services and clinics will continue to provided as before”, said a spokesperson for the new Belfast Trust, “Anyone due to attend hospital or a clinic should attend as planned. Anyone currently receiving a health or social care service will continue to do so without disruption”.

Should anyone have any queries about services they can call a telephone advice line which has been set up for patients and clients in the Belfast area, and for people from outside the city who are attending Belfast based hospitals or clinics.

The Patient and Client Advice Line number is (028) 90 91 92 93 and is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. It will be operated by health and social care staff who will address any concerns or queries about the location or continuity of services.

Ends

For more information contact Belfast Trust Media Office on

028 9096 0096 or Out of Hours on 028 9056 5656