Northern Ireland - key agencies at a glance

This section includes information about the overarching national agencies:

Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS)
The Department is part of the Northern Ireland Executive and its mission is to improve the health and social well-being of the people of Northern Ireland. The Department has three main business responsibilities: health and social care which includes responsibility for policy and legislation to ensure the provision of appropriate services both in clinical settings and the community; public safety which covers policy and legislation for fire and rescue services; public health which covers policy, legislation and administrative action to promote and protect the health and well-being of the population.

Public Health Agency
The Public Health Agency for Northern Ireland came into operation in April 2009.  It incorporates the former Health Protection Agency and has a much wider responsibility for health protection and screening and health improvement and development to improve overall public health and address existing health inequalities.

Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority
"The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) is the independent body responsible for monitoring and inspecting the availability and quality of health and social care services in Northern Ireland, and encouraging improvements in the quality of those services". Since April 2009 the functions of the former Mental Health Commission in Northern Ireland have been transferred to the RQIA.

Key national agencies for all the UK countries found in the themed areas of the website:

Please also visit the different themes which appear in the left hand menu and are highlighted on the clinical governance resource homepage for a wider range of resources specific to that theme, for example, staff focus.