Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009

Public involvement and consultation N.I.

19—(1) Each body to which this section applies must take such steps as it considers appropriate—

(a) to promulgate information about the health and social care for which it is responsible;

(b) to obtain information about—

(i) the needs of persons to whom that care is being or may be provided; and

(ii) the efficacy of that care;

(c) to encourage and assist persons to whom that care is being or may be provided—

(i) to avail of that care in an appropriate manner, having regard to the need to use resources in the most economic, efficient and effective way; and

(ii) to maintain and improve their own health and social well-being.

(2) In particular, each body to which this section applies must, before the end of the period of 9 months beginning with the day appointed for the coming into operation of this section, or, if later, the establishment of the body concerned—

(a) prepare a consultation scheme in accordance with section 20; and

(b) in the case of a health and social care body, submit the scheme to the Department.

(3) The Department may direct any health and social care body to which this section applies to submit a revised scheme to it.

(4) The Department may, after consulting the Patient and Client Council, approve a consultation scheme submitted to it under this section with or without amendments.