Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Health and Personal Social Services (HPSS) fall under the responsibility of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for Northern Ireland (DHSSPS).

Health and Social Services Boards

Health and Personal Social Services in Northern Ireland are provided as an integrated service. The four Health and Social Services Boards plan and commission services for the residents of their areas.

Eastern Health and Social Services Board

Northern Health and Social Services Board

Southern Health and Social Services Board

Western Health and Social Services Board

Review of Public Administration
As part of the Review of Public Administration(RPA), the Boards are due to be replaced in April 2008 by a single Health and Social Services Authority. Inside this Authority there will be 7 Local Commissioning Groups (LCGs); these will map onto the new district councils and will be demand led by patients and driven by GPs and primary care professionals.
[more about RPA]

HSC Trusts

Belfast Trust is one of 5 Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts which provide health and social services. Each Trust manages their own staff and services on the ground and controls its own budget.

The other 4 Trusts in Northern Ireland are:

Northern Trust

South Eastern Trust

Southern Trust

Western Trust