Class 1. The HPSS and where we fit in

Class Description: Planning and other documents outlining how we fit into the HPSS structure

Table of Contents

The HPSS in Northern Ireland (PDF)

Introduction

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) is responsible for giving direction to and monitoring progress of Boards and Trusts in addressing identified need. Boards and Trusts work together to make most effective use of resources and provide value for money in delivering services.

The Trust focuses its direction through clear operational aims and objectives. Formulation of policy and strategy within the Trust is influenced from the external Health & Personal Social Services environment at national, regional, Departmental and Board levels. Key regional documents include for example:

Agenda for Change;

Best Practice: Best Care;

Investing for Health Strategy and

Priorities for Action

(see www.dhsspsni.gov.uk for additional relevant documents)

Strategic and operational accountability and responsibility are directed through the Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety to the Area Boards, Local Health and Social Care Groups (LHSCG), Acute and Community Trusts, and other HPSS Agencies.

The Trust works within this context and negotiates agreements between various elements of the overall structure to both provide services and commission services in order to fulfil its role.

How the Trust fits into the HPSS

North and West Belfast Trust is one of 19 Acute and Community Trusts within the region, seven being within the Eastern Board area. While the majority of the services are commissioned by the Eastern Health and Social Services Board, agreements are in place with the other three boards for services provided to them. The Trust will also work with Local Health and Social Care Groups, mainly in the Eastern Board area. There are 15 of these regionally, six in the Eastern Board area, four in the Northern Board area, three in the Southern Board and two in the Western Board. The Trust discharges the full range of statutory functions on behalf of the commissioner, Child Care, Mental Health, Physical Health & Disability services, Elderly services and Learning Disability services.

The Trust was established in 1994 in the development, unique to Northern Ireland, of joint health and social services Trusts. A range of community health and personal social services are provided to the population of North and West Belfast. The Trust also manages Muckamore Abbey Hospital, the regional hospital for people with a Learning Disability.

As well as directly providing community health and social care services, the Trust commissions almost one third of the services it provides from the voluntary and private sector, in effect delivering a mixed economy of care.

Geography of the Trust

The Trust serves a population of approximately 144,000 people, slightly over half of the population of Belfast. Its area covers the densely populated area between the Belfast Hills to the North and the M1 motorway to the South and stretches from Suffolk in the west to Glengormley and the Shore Road in the east. A full list of services is available under class 6 and a map of the Trust can be viewed on our internet site.

Class No: 1

Class Name: The HPSS and where we fit in

Class Description: Planning and other documents explaining how we fit into the HPSS structure

Reference Number	Content Title	Content Description	How to obtain / format	Frequency of update	Available from
1.1	HPSS organisational chart	Structure of HPSS	www.dhsspsni.gov.uk	As required	DHSSPS
1.2	Standing Orders	These orders govern procedures at meetings and business of the Trust Board	On line	As required	Chief Executives Office 02890 327156
1.3	The HPSS and where we Fit in.	Briefing document highlighting the role of the DHSS&PS and the Trust.	On line	As required	NHS Confederation 0870 4445841
1.4	Establishment Order	SR1993 No 352 Legislation establishing the Trust as amended by SR1994 No112, SR1996 No516	Available from HMSO	As required	HMSO
1.5	Key Regional Documents	Key regional documents which influence formulation of policy and strategy	www.dhsspsni.gov.uk	As required	DHSSPS