Four health boards to be scrapped

Mr McGimpsey said one new health board would be set up.

Northern Ireland's four health boards are to be scrapped as of April next year.

Health minister Michael McGimpsey told the assembly on Monday that the boards would go.

In the health service shake-up, the boards will be replaced by one regional board.

Mr McGimpsey said that below that, five commissioning groups would buy health and social services for the people living in their areas.

The boundaries of these groups will be the same as the existing five super trusts. This is exactly the same as the existing four boards, but with the Eastern area split into two.

Mr McGimpsey promised that his department would become smaller and more sharply focused.