The Northern Ireland Health Collective welcomes the publication of the Department of Health’s HSC Reset Plan, which sets out a bold and necessary roadmap to stabilise, reform and deliver a more sustainable, community-centred health and social care system.
As a conduit between the Department of Health, Health and Social Care (HSC) bodies, and the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, the NI Health Collective recognises the urgency and ambition of this plan. We particularly welcome the clear commitment to:
- Develop a Neighbourhood Model of Care, which will bring together GPs, community pharmacies, Trusts, local government, and VCSE partners to deliver integrated, localised care.
- Integrate VCSE organisations as key partners in the planning and delivery of social care and mental health services by March 2026.
- Invest £1.8 million in a co-designed Core Grant Funding Scheme to support the fixed costs of community and voluntary organisations.
“This Reset Plan has the potential to mark turning point for health and social care in Northern Ireland. It recognises that sustainable health outcomes cannot be achieved by the statutory sector alone. The VCSE sector brings deep community insight, trusted relationships, and a track record of innovation and impact that must be fully harnessed,” said Gillian Lewis, Head of the Northern Ireland Health Collective.
The Collective also welcomes the Department’s commitment to whole-system collaboration, including stronger alignment with local councils, education, housing, and justice. This approach reflects the reality that health is shaped by the broader social determinants of health.
However, the Collective urges that:
– VCSE involvement must go beyond consultation and be embedded in governance, commissioning, and service design.
– Funding mechanisms must be long-term and sustainable, enabling organisations to plan, retain staff, and innovate.
– Data sharing and digital inclusion must be prioritised to ensure community partners can fully participate in the transformation agenda.
As the Reset Plan moves into implementation, the Northern Ireland Health Collective stands ready to:
– Facilitate dialogue between the Department, HSC Trusts, and VCSE health, social care and community health partners.
– Support the co-design of neighbourhood care models;
– Champion the voice of communities in shaping services that meet local needs.
We look forward to working with all partners to ensure this Reset delivers not only financial sustainability, but a more equitable, person-centred health and care system for all.
Media Contact:
Northern Ireland Health Collective
📧 Michelle@nihealthcollective.org.uk
📞 07435248544
