Towards a healthier community
Already known internationally for its quality of research projects the Northern Ireland Health Service is also taking forward a major programme of reform and investment. £35 million per annum is available to support the hospital reform programme. Waiting times for hospital services are being transformed and trolley waits eradicated.
A parallel reform programme is also being taken forward to:
- encourage and help people to take better care of themselves,
- improve primary and community care services, and
- ensure more people have their needs met at home or in their local community.
The hospital and primary and community care infrastructure is also being transformed, with plans to invest £3 billion over the next 20 years. This investment strategy includes: £530 million for investment in the primary and community care infrastructure, and also include:
- building over 40 Health and Care Centres,
- a range of facilities to care for the elderly, and
- services for people with mental health problems or learning disabilities.
This new infrastructure and its associated services will be designed to better ensure that people receive the best possible care by highly trained practitioners in a local setting and, most importantly, minimizing the need to go into hospital. £2.9 billion is being invested to modernise hospitals and primary and community care infrastructures.
In Northern Ireland there are 15 hospitals providing acute services. They range from large and internationally known hospitals, such as the Royal Group 
and the Belfast City Hospital, to smaller and locally based facilities.
The Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospital Health and Social Services Trust, Northern Ireland's biggest and best known hospital complex provides almost all the regional, medical, surgical and dental specialty services. Made up of four linked hospitals - the Royal Victoria, Royal Jubilee Maternity Service, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and the Dental Hospital. ‘The Royal’ treats more than half a million people every year and has a worldwide reputation for excellence.
The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children is the only hospital in Northern Ireland fully dedicated to caring for children.
