Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the effect on the Province, and on rural areas in particular, of the independent rationalisation plans prepared by health boards; and what steps the DHSS (NI) will take to examine the implications of those plans.
§ Mr. Hanley[holding answer 26 May 1993]: The plans of health and social services boards are not independent, but are formulated within the framework of the Department of Health and Social Services regional strategy, which sets out the Department's objectives and priorities for a five year period. Boards' plans are expected to pursue these objectives and, in so doing, to improve the health and social welfare of the population of Northern Ireland. The regional strategy contains a new theme of targeting health and social need, which requires boards to identify those areas and groups, including those living in rural areas, with particular needs and to ensure that services are targeted as far as possible on them.
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