Senior leaders from across the Health and Social Care system have been brought together to “learn from last winter” as the Department plan for the upcoming cold season.
Newry and Armagh MLA, Justin McNulty recently asked the Minister of Health to outline how the Department of Health is preparing for “winter pressures”.
Minister Mike Nesbitt, explained that earlier this year – under the leadership of the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer – he brought together senior leaders from across the Health and Social Care system to “learn from last winter”, as they plan for winter 2025/26.
Said the Minister: “I was clear that I wanted a whole system approach looking at what could be achieved both in advance of this winter and in the longer-term.”
Mr McNulty had also asked for specific detail in relation to how those suffering with dementia will be catered for under the plans.
The Minister continued: “While not specifically focused on dementia, this process identified the need for a particular focus on interventions to improve the care of those older people living with frailty and other co-morbidities, who have been identified as some of the most vulnerable to the risks associated with the winter period.”
Seven action plans have been established by the Department which the Minister says focus on “reducing hospital demand by supporting older people to stay well and receive appropriate care in the community”.
He adds: “This includes improving the use of advance clinical care planning and enhancing pathways for patients, ensuring the right care is delivered in the right place, first time.”
Acknowledging that winter preparedness cannot simply focus on primary and secondary healthcare settings, the Minister explained that there must also be a focus on ensuring that “appropriate care is provided in social care settings and in people’s own homes”.
To this end, the Department is -according to the Minister – currently leading a series of “cross-sector roundtable discussions” to better understand and address unmet need in the community care sector with a particular focus on the provision of more “timely access” to care, whether this is at home or in a care home.
Said Minister Nesbitt: “I will publish the Winter Preparedness Plan in October and – as in previous years – we will again call upon the public to do everything possible to help protect our system, including utilising community services, where available, and getting vaccinated, if eligible.”
