Eastern Health and Social Services Council

Annual Work Programme 2004 - 2007

Introduction

The Health and Social Services Councils were established to represent the interests of users of health and social services in Northern Ireland. Four Councils were set up in 1991 on a regional format with Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western offices.

Purpose

The Councils aim is to make public services more responsive to users’ and carers’ needs and to give the public an opportunity to influence decisions that are made on their behalf. Health and Social Services Councils have the following legal rights:

To be consulted by the Health and Social Services Board on any major developments or changes in services.

To have formal meetings with Health and Social Services Boards.

To enter and inspect health and social services facilities.

To receive any information which it needs to do its job.

Council members are all local people who have an interest in health and social services issues. Members are drawn from city, district and borough councils, voluntary and community organisations and other interested groups. The Health and Social Services Councils have 102 members in total (24 Northern/ 24 Southern/ 30 Eastern / 24 Western). Health & Social Service Council members are all appointed with the approval of the Minister responsible for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Health and Social Service Council members are not paid and the four councils are supported by a small number of staff.

To read the complete Work Programme 2004 - 2007 click here.