To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) the rational as to why there is no (a) service user; or (b) carer representatives, on the Regional Area Integrated Partnership Boards; and (ii) whether he will give consideration to appointing such representatives.

We have put in place the building blocks for greater community and stakeholder engagement in shaping health services through our integrated care system. Currently there are five Area Integrated Partnership Boards (AIPB), one for each Trust area. The AIPBs are supported and guided by the Regional ICS Partnership Forum.

Each AIPB has one user and one carer member and while it is intended the Regional ICS Partnership Forum will expand its membership to include users and carers, to date their views have been reflected in the Forum by the Chair of the ICS Service User and Carer Liaison Group.

With developments underway to establish a Neighbourhood model of care, the role and function of the AIPBs and the future role for the Regional ICS Partnership Forum are under consideration which is the rationale for not expanding the Forum’s membership at this time.

Regional ICS Partnership Forum membership will be kept under review and the Department will ensure service user and carer views and participation are embedded in future Forum arrangements as these become clear over the coming months.