DoH's overall aim and mission is to "improve the health and social well-being of the people of Northern Ireland.

[7] DoH's main counterparts in the United Kingdom Government are: In the Irish Government, its main counterparts are: The Health and Social Care system in Northern Ireland consists of the following public bodies: Northern Ireland-wide Sub-regional health and social care trusts Health policy in Northern Ireland was originally a responsibility of local government and the Ministry of Home Affairs, which (similarly to the Home Office) retained responsibility for policy areas not delegated to other ministries.

A separate Ministry of Health and Local Government was established in June 1944, as part of the welfare state.

The latter ministry was renamed as the Department of Health and Social Services under direct rule, introduced in March 1972.

A health and social services ministry was also included in the Northern Ireland Executive briefly established in 1974.