• Commute
• Work
• Live
• Study

The recent Review of Public Administration in Northern Ireland has lead to significant restructuring of the health sector in NI.  In April 2009 four new organisations were established:

1. A single Health and Social Care Board replaced the existing four Health and Social Services Boards - www.hscboard.hscni.net
2. A Public Health Agency incorporating and building on the work of the Health Promotion Agency - www.publichealth.hscni.net
3. A Business Services Organisation providing a range of support functions for the whole of the health and social care system. The Central Services Agency was dissolved and the majority of its services will be undertaken by the new organisation - www.hscbusiness.hscni.net
4. A single Patient and Client Council replaced the Health and Social Services Councils - www.patientclientcouncil.hscni.net

For further information please visit the website of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety - www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index

Health Services and Entitlements

'Borderwise' a cross border project between Citizens Advice in Northern Ireland and Citizens Information Board in Ireland has developed a set of cross-border information booklets, one of which details many health services and entitlements issues including:

• Organisation of health services
• Medical cards
• GP services
• Prescription charges
• Dental services
• Ophthalmic services
• Hospital services

For further information please visit BorderWise Factsheets

Frontier Workers

If you live in one jurisdiction and work in another you may be eligible for health care both where you live and where you work.

Irish residents working in Northern Ireland:

• Are entitled to a NHS medical card, however, their spouse and children are not eligible
• Are eligible for free GP services
• Are eligible to register with a NHS dentist
• Are eligible for maternity services from a GP, a midwife and an obstetrician in a hospital if necessary
• Are also eligible for an Irish Medical Card without a means test, their families may also be entitled to a medical card in Ireland provided the spouse is not employed or self-employed in Ireland

Northern residents working in Ireland:

• Are entitled to NHS health care, as they are legally resident in NI
• Are entitled to apply for an Irish Medical Card, subject to a means test

See also

• List of hospitals in NI
• List of GP practises throughout NI
• List of Health Agencies in NI
• List of dental practises in NI
• NI waiting times information service

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