Northern Ireland
How has user involvement developed in Northern Ireland?
The concept of user involvement / representation in Northern Ireland is evolving and developing.
The CREST / Diabetes UK Report on Diabetes highlighted user forum and empowerment as an area for early action. The report, published in 2003, said LDSAGs need to get more involved in decisions made by:
- health boards
- trusts
- local health and social care groups
- managed clinical networks as they develop.
The health department has outlined how user involvement should grow under its annual strategy. For more details, please see the Department of Health & Social Services & Public Safety's (DHSSPS) document 'Priorities for Action 2004-05'.
The DHSSPS has asked each Health & Personal Social Services organisation to report on how they are implementing guidance from four equality Good Practice Reviews. One of these reviews covered service user involvement. The deadline for reporting back is 31March 2005.
In light of these developments, we aim to help you represent people with diabetes in your area as part of your role as a user representative.