Policy Framework published to address Northern Ireland's long-term care challenge

Northern Ireland Health Minister Edwin Poots has launched a new ‘Policy Framework’ designed to lead the way in the modernisation of care services by setting clear standards for caregivers, as communities look to cope with a rising number of older people with care needs.

The Framework ‘Living with Long Term Conditions’, was launched last week at an event hosted by the Long Term Conditions Alliance Northern Ireland (LTCANI) and held at the Multiple Sclerosis Society in Belfast.

Speaking at the event, Mr Poots thanked all those who had contributed to the Framework and spoke of the challenges ahead: “This Policy Framework has been designed to be relevant across a wide range of long term conditions and for all care settings. It aims to help commissioners and providers in the statutory, independent voluntary and community sectors plan and deliver more effective services to support people with long term conditions and their carers.”

The publication was warmly welcomed by chair of the LTCANI Heather Monteverde, who commented: “We believe that when this Framework is fully implemented it has real potential to improve the lives of thousands of people living with a long term condition in Northern Ireland.”

Key principles the new Framework aims to promote include better partnership and collaborative working, support for self-management, the safeguarding of carers’ health as well as service users, together with a drive for more efficient medication management and the implementation of telecare and monitoring technology.

Workforce development is recognised as crucial in furthering the capabilities of social care services, with future care policy to focus on driving up skills within the voluntary, community and independent sectors.

The complete Policy Framework can be viewed at the following url: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/living-longterm-conditions.pdf