This is our health public engagement programme goes live

This is our health is a new public engagement programme led by the Department of Health, with support from the Public Health Agency and HSC partners.

Aim of the programme:

Its aim is to listen to people and start developing a shared “health and care promise” — an agreement between the public and the HSC system about how we can all play a bigger part, so people can live healthier lives and services can focus their efforts where they are needed most.

This programme aims to build a healthier, more resilient Northern Ireland by reshaping how people engage with the health and care system. Our goals are to:

• Transform the relationship between people and the system
• Encourage people to take more steps to stay well
• Create extra capacity within the health and care system
• Use this new capacity to support system reset, protect vital services, and improve wellbeing across Northern Ireland

How we will do this?

We will work directly with people and communities to:

• Understand what matters most to them and what they believe the system must protect
• Explore what individuals are prepared to contribute, through everyday actions that help them stay well
• Form a shared capacity‑building promise — a clear “deal” between the public and the system

How to participate?

Take part online

This is the quickest and easiest way to get involved. The online experience:

• asks the same core questions as the in-person sessions
• is designed to be simple and accessible
• can be completed anonymously
• takes a short amount of time

You can take part at a time that suits you, using your own device - Take part online

Meet us in person

You can also take part in person when the team visits locations across Northern Ireland.

In-person sessions use a mix of conversation and hands-on, tangible tools to make it easy to take part. You can drop in, take part, and move on.

Upcoming public engagement events:

Come along and help shape the future of Health and Social Care

Your insight will directly contribute to shaping the “This Is Our Health” capacity-building promise.

Below are the confirmed and proposed dates, trusts, and locations for the public beta testing events:

These events are your opportunity to:

• Influence how the new “deal” between people and the health system is shaped
• Share frontline insight on what helps (or hinders) people staying well
• Support the creation of a sustainable health and care system for the future
• Ensure your trust and community’s voice is represented
• Whether your venue is confirmed or still being finalised, your participation is essential.