Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WARNING OUR SYSTEM MAY ALWAYS BE ON CRITICAL LIST
Expert says urgent transformation is needed
THE health service will face constant winter-like pressure if it is not transformed, a leading expert warns today.
Professor Rafael Bengoa said if action is not taken “every month will eventually start to look like January and February”.
He added: “That will not be because of the flu, but because of chronic diseases that affect older people all year round. Within a relatively short time the health system will enter into crisis due to this natural demand.”
Prof Bengoa led a review in 2016 that urged transformation of the NHS.
In the Bengoa Report he set out a radical vision for the future delivery of health services in Northern Ireland.
He will deliver a lecture at Queen’s University today marking the 70th anniversary of the health service and themed around reshaping care for the next 70 years.
The former Basque health minister said the system could not keep relying on hard-pressed staff to keep shoring up provision.
He added: “They need to see there is a willingness and determination to change, that there is hope for the future.
“Inevitably demand will continue to increase sharply as people live longer lives. At present too many services are based around buildings rather than being centred on what people and communities need.
“Much more care needs to be delivered in primary care settings, close to or in people’s homes. That’s the essence of transformation.”