A recent event at the DHSS Training and Development Centre (Keyll Darree) invited representatives from the private and voluntary sectors to give their views on caring for older people in the community. 

The gathering also featured a presentations by key senior officers from the Department on current initiatives, including the ‘Living Life to the Full’ strategy for adults.

Eddie Teare MHK, Minister for Health and Social Security, said, "The event was well attended and this shows that there is scope for better dialogue between government and the independent sector about how best to provide care and support for older people in the future”.

Speakers at the event included Social Services’ Director, Andrew Swithinbank and Norman McGregor Edwards, Director of Health Strategy & Performance, who both stressed the need for good working relationships within the statutory sector and partnerships with families and carers and the Third Sector (the voluntary sector). 

The event was introduced and chaired by the DHSS Chief Executive, David Killip, who touched on the issues surrounding longer life expectancy, chiefly, the question of how to fund and provide appropriate services in the future.

Bill Malarkey MHK, Member for Social Services, said, "Social Services have a commitment to communicate and consult with stakeholders in services. 

"Events such as this will help us to do this".

It is intended that events will be held in 2010 around the Island that will give older people themselves and their families an opportunity of finding out about services and having a say about the future.