Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland

Overview
Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland is the designation of the national public health service in Northern Ireland; it is administered by the Northern Ireland Executive through the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

The Department is organised under a Permanent Secretary into several groups and one agency. These are the Planning and Resources Group, Strategic Planning and Modernisation Group and Primary, Secondary and Community Care Group and the 5 Professional Groups. The Department’s Executive Agency is the Northern Ireland Health and Social Services Estates Agency (known as Health Estates).



The five professional groups are


 * Medical and Allied Services
 * Social Services Inspectorate
 * Nursing and Midwifery Advisory Group
 * Dental Services
 * Pharmaceutical Advice and Services

Northern Ireland also has its own dedicated Ambulance Service.