The 2015-16 annual report by the Health Services Consultative Committee (HSCC) has been published with Minister for Health and Social Care, Howard Quayle MHK, welcoming the ongoing work of the nine member committee.

The HSCC was established in 2004, under the National Health Service Act 2001, with the remit to provide independent scrutiny of the Island's health services.

The report, which outlines the work of the committee between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016, includes reports on 12 key areas - such as quality improvement and patient voice - as well as a list of 17 recommendations offered by the Committee.

The Minister said: "I thank the committee members for their ongoing work and dedication. The annual report recognises that the 'green shoots' of real change are emerging, but that challenges remain in a number of areas - which I think, broadly, is a fair assessment.

"The report highlights the continued and ongoing change within the Department of Health and Social Care and goes on to outline the committee's support for the direction of travel set out in the Department's five year strategy.

"The Department's officers, clinicians, and political members are acutely aware that there remains much work to do, and all look forward to working with the HSCC in the year ahead to improve services and care for our community."