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Research Matters

A blog from the Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service
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Research Matters
Northern Ireland Assembly logo
Research Matters

Health & Social Care

A note with writing which reads 'Who cares about the carers?'

Supporting carers in Northern Ireland: Where are we with legislation and policy?

This article is a revised and updated version of a post originally published in June 2017.

This article outlines the contribution made by carers to supporting the formal care system and the issues they face in undertaking the caring role for family members and friends. Legislative developments across the UK are discussed as well as issues relevant to carers and how these are being addressed in Northern Ireland (NI) and beyond. A fuller briefing paper on these issues was published by RaISe in March 2016. In a related article, we examine some of the key statistics relating to the informal care sector in Northern Ireland.

A note with writing which reads 'Who cares about the carers?'

Read More »Supporting carers in Northern Ireland: Where are we with legislation and policy?

Image of the words 'learning disability', by Michael Havens, used under Creative Commons

Learning disability in Northern Ireland: Where are we now?

This article was written by second year Ulster University Student Michael McVeigh (Health and Social Care Policy), based on a research report completed while on a six-week work placement in the Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service. It gives an overview of how people with learning disabilities are being cared for in Northern Ireland and asks the question: how have health and social care needs and policy development improved since the Bamford review published its Equal Lives Report in 2005?

Image of the words 'learning disability', by Michael Havens, used under Creative Commons
Image by Michael Havens, used under Creative Commons

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An image of a figure with their hands over their face

Mental health and illness in Northern Ireland (3): Barriers to accessing mental health services and the role of the voluntary sector

This is the third in a series of articles on mental health and illness in Northern Ireland. Following posts on the overall strategies for mental health and care pathways, this article focuses on barriers to accessing mental health services and highlights the role of the voluntary sector in delivering such services. A more detailed RaISe briefing on many of the issues is available.

An image of a figure with their hands over their face
Image by Ryan Melaugh under Creative Commons

 

Read More »Mental health and illness in Northern Ireland (3): Barriers to accessing mental health services and the role of the voluntary sector

Two masks illustrating contrasting states of mind (image: Pixabay)

Mental health and illness in Northern Ireland (2): Service provision, care pathways, recovery focus

This is the second in a series of articles regarding mental health and illness in Northern Ireland. Recently, we provided an overview of mental health strategy in Northern Ireland; here, we focus on service delivery for adults, for children and adolescents, and the importance of the ‘recovery’ focus of the model of care. A more detailed RaISe briefing on many of the issues is available.

Two masks illustrating contrasting states of mind (image: Pixabay)

Read More »Mental health and illness in Northern Ireland (2): Service provision, care pathways, recovery focus

Art therapy (image Save the Children under Creative Commons)

Allied Health Professions in Northern Ireland: Their role in reform of primary and community care

This article looks at the issues faced by Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) in Northern Ireland in supporting patients in primary and community care. It sets out the groups that make-up AHPs and examines how the role of AHPs could evolve in a changing healthcare landscape.

Art therapy (image Save the Children under Creative Commons)
Art therapy (Image: Save the Children, under Creative Commons)

Read More »Allied Health Professions in Northern Ireland: Their role in reform of primary and community care

Mental health and illness word cloud

Mental health and illness in Northern Ireland (1): Overview – related strategy and reports

This article is the first in a series looking at mental health and illness in Northern Ireland, covering relevant reviews, policies, reports, services, treatments and access to these services. This blog post sets the scene and highlights key policies, strategies and action plans to date. A more detailed RaISe briefing on many of the issues is available.

Mental health and illness word cloud

Read More »Mental health and illness in Northern Ireland (1): Overview – related strategy and reports

Pharmacist assisting a customer (Creative Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pharmacist_assisting_a_customer_at_Terry_White_Chemists.jpg)

Northern Ireland’s health crisis: can pharmacists relieve the pressure on GPs?

The growing pressure on primary healthcare services is reported in the media on an almost daily basis – a key reason being that people are living longer, often with chronic and complex healthcare needs. This article looks at how an enhanced role for community pharmacists in health promotion and medicine management is intended to help deliver the vision for healthcare delivery in Northern Ireland over the next ten years.

Pharmacist assisting a customer (Creative Commons)
Image: Creative Commons

Read More »Northern Ireland’s health crisis: can pharmacists relieve the pressure on GPs?

Breastfeeding welcome here?

Breastfeeding in public is often a topic for debate. Although a very personal decision for parents, breastfeeding in public spaces is viewed as a social issue with divided opinions. This article looks at the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and babies versus the influence social attitudes can have, and asks if attitudes towards breastfeeding in public places in Northern Ireland are changing.

Image by Dave Clubb
Read More »Breastfeeding welcome here?