Take notice! Is Northern Ireland a democracy or not? The future of all hospitals in Northern Ireland is being decided. It seems Lord Donaldson expects the Northern Ireland public to pay an international panel of experts ( picked by who?) to sort out the hospital and healthcare needs of nearly 2 million people, without question from anybody. This Report implies that our devolved government and MLAs should have no say on the future of our hospitals and that all decisions should be made without their (and consequently the electorates) say.
The Patient and Client council gives a summary of Recommendation 1 of Donaldson Report: “Recommendation 1: Coming together for world-class care”- “We recommend that all political parties and the public accept in advance the recommendations of an impartial international panel of experts who should be commissioned to deliver to the Northern Ireland population the configuration of health and social care services commensurate with ensuring world-class standards of care.”
The DHSSPS states – “You are now invited to share your views on the recommendations from the Donaldson Report.” –Responses must be received no later than Friday 22 May 2015.
Background info from DHSSPS:
“On 8 April 2014 former Health Minister Edwin Poots announced his intention to commission former Chief Medical Officer of England, Professor Sir Liam Donaldson, to advise on the improvement of governance arrangements across the HSC.
Sir Liam was subsequently tasked with investigating whether an improvement in the quality of governance arrangements is needed and whether the current arrangements support a culture of openness, learning and making amends.
Sir Liam’s report was published by Minister Jim Wells on 27 January 2014 in conjunction with an Oral Statement to the Assembly. The report set out ten recommendations which refer to a wide range of areas across the health service.”
http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/showconsultations?txtid=76505
Daisy Hill Hospital for Life 