Finally, I think it is important that we have a road map for further future developments. This is not a single departmental issue. Many ministerial colleagues across government will have an interest in achieving our goal of making Northern Ireland a truly connected Health economy.
Consequently we will be taking forward a strategy, involving all stakeholders so that we can identify our priorities over the next 5-7 years and look at how to best introduce new technological solutions to health and social care. This work should be completed by the end of this year.
This year the NHS is celebrating its 60th anniversary year. These have been 60 years of incredible change and development during which the NHS has not lost sight of its founding principles – healthcare free at the point of contact. Today the health service faces a series of new challenges. It is only by adopting new modern approaches to care delivery that we can meet the challenges which lie ahead.
By embracing the concept of Connected Health and applying the technology of today to improve our services, we will also sow the seeds for the different kinds of services our communities will require to meet their needs tomorrow.
Michael McGimpsey
Minister DHSSPS
