Research Papers 2011
Synopsis: Here you will find a list of Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety research papers published during 2011.
Group B Streptococcus Infection in Neonates
- Date: 15/09/2011 - Author: Dr Janice Thompson
This briefing paper provides an introduction to the subject of Group B streptococcus (GBS) infection in neonates (newborn babies). It includes some key statistics outlining the scope of the issue and an overview of the policy, professional guidance and practice around screening for GBS in the UK and some other countries. The briefing also touches on some of the conflicting research evidence. The need for further research in areas such as surveillance and more rapid GBS test development is also highlighted.
The DHSSPS budget: where does the money go?
- Date: 08/09/2011 - Author: Colin Pidgeon
According to the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) more than £10 million per day is spent on the health system in Northern Ireland. This paper provides some details of health and social care expenditure across nine Programmes of Care (PoC). It also provides a breakdown of the Family Health Services budget. It is intended to provide background to the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety in its role in scrutinising the work of the department.
Belfast City Hospital A&E
- Date: 06/09/2011 - Author: Dr Lesley-Ann Black
At a meeting with the Northern Ireland Health Committee on the 20th July 2011, the Minister for Health (HSSPS) Mr Edwin Poots indicated that changes to the A&E unit at Belfast City hospital are needed which would “not be the type of A&E service that is currently provided”. This paper discusses the implications of these changes and the impact it may have on waiting times, and other A&E departments.
Provision of Emergency Care to Smaller Communities
- Date: 11/03/2011 - Author: Dr Janice Thompson
Accident and Emergency (A&E)/Emergency departments provide important access to the healthcare system in Northern Ireland. They are hubs that interact directly with primary care, in-hospital care and community care services. The College of Emergency Medicine have highlighted that service development in emergency care in Northern Ireland has not been associated with the investment in staff and facilities which has taken place in the rest of the UK.
Costs and efficiencies: supporting evidence
- Date: 27/01/2011 - Author: Dr Lesley-Ann Black and Dr Janice Thompson
This paper provides a brief overview regarding several issues that arose in relation to the Budget where the HSSPS Committee requested further information. These are considered particularly in relation to Northern Ireland and include: Current levels and cost of obesity; Reducing unnecessary hospitalisation; Cost savings from patient reminder systems using mobile phone text messaging; Reducing health costs in the pharmaceutical sector; Alternatives to agency staff; and DHSSPS bid concerning pay award of £250 for staff earning under 21K.
Health and social care: plans, priorities and performance
- Date: 27/01/2011 - Author: Dr Lesley-Ann Black
This paper is the third in a series of three papers commissioned by the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety within the context of the Executive’s Budget 2010. Its purpose is to provide the Committee with an overview of the high level plans and priorities pertinent to health and social care (HSC) in Northern Ireland.
Autism Bill: Clause 1: Amendments to Disability Discrimination Act 1995
- Date: 26/01/2011 - Author: Tim Moore
Clause 1 of the Autism Bill provides for amendments to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (the DDA). This briefing note, which supplements an earlier research paper on the Autism Bill, provides further information to support Members’ consideration of the proposed amendments.
The DHSSPS Budget 2011-15 Consultation
- Date: 21/01/2011 - Author: Colin Pidgeon
The Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) published a consultation document on its draft budget allocation on 13 January 2011. This Briefing Note considers some of the issues raised in the document and by the Minister in evidence to the Committee Health, Social Services and Public Safety (“the Committee”) on the same day.
The DHSSPS Budget: where does the money go?
- Date: 21/01/2011 - Author: Colin Pidgeon
According to the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) almost £10 million per day is spent on the health system in Northern Ireland. This equates to nearly £6 per person in Northern Ireland every 24 hours. Tracking where that money is spent, by whom, and on what is quite a complex task. This paper provides some detail about how the budget is used. It provides detail on expenditure by various bodies and also examines some elements of the Health and Social Care (HSC)Trusts’ accounts. Some figures on how they utilise the resources allocated to them are presented.
