DHSSPS launch new statistical section to website

Northern Ireland Health Minister Jim Wells has announced the launch of a new statistical information section to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety’s website.

Based around health and social care themes the new site includes information on hospital, community and primary care, inequalities, public health and performance measures at various geographic levels.

It encourages users to explore the information using a range of engaging info-graphics and interactive visual tools and to download data for further analysis.

Commenting on the launch the Minister said: “Using data effectively offers great potential to drive performance and directly benefit patients. The main aim of this new section on our website is to improve accessibility, transparency and accountability by improving the presentation and dissemination of health and social care information.

“The department has employed a thematic approach to the development of the new web pages. Currently 11 themes are set out, including hospital, social care, family health services and new information areas such as performance measures against Ministerial Targets.”

Information areas such as performance measures against Commissioning Plan Targets and monitoring data in support of the public health strategy ‘Making Life Better’ can be directly accessed using the ‘Ministerial Priorities’ tab present on a navigation menu that is common to each page.

A search function has been developed for both statistical reports and downloadable data tables. End users can search the document of interest by theme, topic, year of publication and / or keyword search. This enhanced search facility will enable users to quickly find the information they require.

The Minister concluded: “Significant work has been undertaken by the department and I would encourage everyone, whether members of the public, media, health or voluntary organisations to avail of this new service. I would also encourage feedback on the new section via the feedback tab on the site.”

The statistic web pages can be accessed here: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/statistics.htm