Public asked to help shape future of Northern Ireland’s health service under new ‘This is our health’ programme

Minister Mike Nesbitt with the Public Health Agency Partnership and Engagement team at the ‘This is our health’ roadshow on Wednesday morning.

A major new public engagement programme aimed at reshaping how health and social care operates in Northern Ireland has been launched, with people being asked to directly influence what services should provide — and what role individuals themselves can play in protecting them.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt formally launched the large-scale initiative, titled ‘This is our health’, during a visit to the Lesley Abbeycentre in Newtownabbey on Wednesday morning, April 29, where he met members of the public and gathered their views.

The programme signals a shift away from traditional consultations, instead placing the public at the centre of defining priorities, expectations, and how services should respond to growing demand.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Nesbitt said a different approach is needed to build a healthier and more resilient society.

“This is not a typical public health campaign or survey. We won’t be telling people what we think they should do, they will be telling us, and that’s a significant shift. ‘This is our health’ is very much part of our Reset Plan and links well with the Neighbourhood Model of care and the need to change and develop the relationship between people and the health service.

“These conversations will help us shape a more sustainable, responsive and effective health and social care system.”

A new ‘health and care deal’ at the centre of the programme

At the heart of the initiative is the aim to develop an agreed “health and care deal” between the public and the Health and Social Care (HSC) system — setting out what people expect from services and what part they can play in supporting them.

The programme forms a key element of the Minister’s Reset Plan, particularly its focus on prevention and the shift described as ‘People to Partners’, where individuals are encouraged to play a more active role in maintaining their health and wellbeing.

Through engagement events and digital participation, the initiative will identify what people need most from services, what helps them stay well for longer, and how services can be better designed to meet those needs.

Bronagh Donnelly from PHA shows Health Minister Mike Nesbitt the retro engagement tools used as part of the ‘This is our health’ roadshows.

Minister Nesbitt also highlighted the pressures facing the system and the importance of involving the public in shaping future solutions.

“Our healthcare resources are limited, demand is rising and care is becoming more complex. Through ‘This is our health’ people will be telling us what things help them stay well for longer, what they want the health service to guarantee, and in turn what they could do to help protect services going forward. So, freeing up capacity and protecting vital services will be important outcomes.”

How the programme will roll out across Northern Ireland

‘This is our health’ will be delivered across every county in Northern Ireland between now and the end of June, with engagement taking place in public spaces as well as through community and voluntary organisations.

Events will be organised by Health and Social Care Trusts, the Public Health Agency (PHA), and partners across the community and voluntary sector.

The programme is designed to gather insight on what matters most to people, while also encouraging practical changes in how individuals look after their health and use services.

Taking part online or in person

Members of the public can take part either online or by attending events in person, depending on what suits them best.

The online option is described as the quickest and easiest way to get involved. It asks the same core questions as in-person sessions, is designed to be simple and accessible, can be completed anonymously, and takes only a short amount of time using a personal device.

Those attending in person will be able to drop in at engagement locations across Northern Ireland, where sessions combine conversation with hands-on tools designed to make participation straightforward.

Further information and participation options are available at https://thisisourhealth.org.uk/ and https://thisisourhealth.org.uk/how-to-take-part/.

Members of the public can also contact the team directly with queries about in-person events by emailing thisisourhealth@hscni.net.

Interactive approach aims to broaden participation

Instead of relying on formal consultation methods, the programme is using more informal and interactive formats to engage people in everyday settings.

This includes retro-style arcade machines where participants use a joystick to answer questions about the daily things and the people who help them to stay well.

The approach is intended to make participation more accessible and encourage involvement from people who may not usually take part in traditional engagement exercises.

Major public events confirmed as part of rollout

A number of high-profile events have already been confirmed where the public will be able to take part:

• Belfast City Marathon – 3 May 2026

• Balmoral Show – 13 to 16 May 2026

• Foyle Maritime Festival – 25 to 28 June 2026

These events are expected to play a key role in gathering views, giving people the opportunity to influence how the proposed “deal” between the public and the health system is shaped, share insight into what helps or hinders people staying well, and ensure their community’s voice is represented.

Focus on sustainability and future capacity

The overall aim of ‘This is our health’ is to support the development of a more sustainable, responsive and effective health and social care system.

By combining public input with system planning, the programme seeks to ensure services can focus their efforts where and when they are needed most, while supporting people to live healthier lives for longer.

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At a glance

• New ‘This is our health’ programme launched by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt

• Public invited to help shape a new “health and care deal”

• Programme runs across Northern Ireland until the end of June

• Engagement includes in-person events, online participation, and interactive tools

• Online participation available at https://thisisourhealth.org.uk/

• Further details at https://thisisourhealth.org.uk/how-to-take-part/

• Key events include Belfast City Marathon, Balmoral Show, and Foyle Maritime Festival

• Contact available via thisisourhealth@hscni.net

• Focus on prevention, sustainability, and managing rising demand