Media Release30^th March 2007

Embargoed: 00:01 1^st April 2007

Goal is ‘a healthier and better Belfast’

The head of the new body responsible for health and social care services in Belfast, has called for a fresh relationship between the citizens of Belfast and their health and social care services, to help deliver ‘a healthier and a better Belfast’

William McKee, who takes over today as the Chief Executive of the new Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said,

“The reorganisation of health and care services brought about by the Review of Public Administration means that, for the first time, a single organisation is responsible for planning and delivering health and social care services in this city”,

“This is a tremendous opportunity to do things differently, to organise services around people not buildings and to rethink how, and why, we use our health and social care services”, Mr McKee added

"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 peoples' health and well being." 

“That is why I am advocating a new partnership with the citizens and institutions of this city to help us all realise the dream of a healthier, better Belfast”, said Mr McKee

Outlining the new partnership proposal Mr McKee outlined the contribution which Belfast Health and Social Care Trust would make and the input needed from the citizens of Belfast.

“For our part”, he said “we will:

“What we are asking in return”, said Mr McKee” is a partnership with the citizens and institutions of Belfast which will help us to deliver a healthier, better Belfast.

“I am asking everyone to play a part in shaping services and in helping to tackle health inequalities in tis city. There are very few of us who would not benefit from exercising more, drinking less, smoking less, looking after our diet and finding ways of avoiding social isolation”.

“Much has already been done, but Belfast must become a much healthier city. In many areas life expectancy is well below the Northern Ireland average. Levels of alcohol consumption and smoking continue to cause ill health, suffering, hardship and death. Despite the facilities this city enjoys, formal and informal we still do not exercise enough. Belfast has high rates of heart disease and strokes. We must all start working to find ways of turning that around”, said Mr McKee

“I believe that a healthier and better Belfast is achievable. We all have a role to play and a contribution to make. I have outlined the priorities that I have set for the new Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and I am asking every citizen of this city to play their part as well.

I am delighted at the lead that has already been given by the City Council and I will be joining it in asking other institutions in Belfast to help turn Belfast into a healthier and a better city”

“Healthier citizens - physically, mentally and emotionally – live longer, have a better quality of life, make a bigger contribution to community and society and ultimately have less need of health and social care services.” Mr McKee concluded.

Ends

For further information please contact:

The Belfast Trust Media Office on 028 9096 0096

Out of Hours telephone 028 9056 5656

Notes to Editors:

Who’s Who in the new Belfast Trust?

Details of the Chair, Chief Executive, Directors and Non Executive Directors are available at http://www.belfasttrust.hscni.net/ or call us at the Belfast Trust Media Office for details or to request an email copy of the information. Telephone: 90 96 00 96