Brian Black reports on the current state of the Health Service and about the various hospitals who are considering taking on the Trust status.

John Hunter (DHSS) speaks to Black about the government reforms in the health service which he claims is "about improving the quality of the accommodation... of reducing waiting lists, of making sure patients are treated in a way which most effectively meets their needs". This is further clarified by Black who then proceeds to introduce the different hospitals positions on the reforms, with Ulster against and Craigavon and Royal for Trust status.

John Templeton (Craigavon Area Hospitals Group) defends the hospitals position by stating that this would lead to a contract on what is expected of the hospital in terms of quality and care. Similarly, William McKee (General Manager, Royal Victoria Hospital) argues that a Trust status "would mean a better service to our patients".

However, Dr Raymond Shearer (GP), is not convinced and worries about adequate after care being provided, among other things. Social scientist, Eileen Evanson, carried out a survey on patient experience in the health service, and found the response disturbing with "an enormous gulf between the way government and management talk about the health service" in comparison to how patients found it.

Other key topics mentioned is the moral issue of a point based system for surgeries and what staff at the hospitals thought of the reforms.  

• NI Direct - PRONI