Health and Social Care (Northern Ireland)
Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland (HSC NI) is the publicly funded health and social care system for the region. It is part of the wider UK NHS family but is run separately in Northern Ireland. It is funded by the Northern Ireland Executive through the Department of Health and is free to residents at the point of use.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) delivers many public health and social care services across Northern Ireland. Health and social care have been delivered as a single system since 1974, with the aim of providing integrated care to people in their local communities.
A reform in 2009 reorganised how services are delivered. The Department of Health coordinates everything, while the Health and Social Care Board helps plan and oversee services. Health and Social Care Trusts run hospitals, community care, and primary care, with local groups working with them to plan services for their areas.
The system includes general practice (GPs), hospital care, community care, and social care services. In recent years there have been efforts to bring more professionals into GP practices, such as pharmacists and nurse practitioners, to support doctors and improve access to care. Plans have also focused on creating community hubs that bring together GP services, pharmacy, mental health, and social care.
There are ongoing challenges, including waiting times for appointments and procedures and funding pressures. Reports over the years have called for more prevention and community-based care, better use of resources, and improved information systems to share patient data safely.
Technology and records: Northern Ireland has developed an electronic care record to link hospital, community, and social care services, with plans to extend this across the health system.
Costs: Health care is free at the point of use. Social care can be means-tested, and prescription charges were phased out by 2010.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 20:04 (CET).