The Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009[1] followed the Review of Public Administration in 2007 and led to a reorganisation of health and social care delivery in Northern Ireland.
Prior to enactment of this legislation, healthcare delivery in Northern Ireland was provided by 4 health boards, 11 community and social services trusts and 7 hospital trusts.
The responsibilities of the Health and Social Care board were to work in partnership with Northern Ireland's Public Health Agency to commission services, allocate resources and improve services for all people of Northern Ireland.
[3] The Health and Social Care Board was responsible for 72 of 99 recommendations[4] made in the report.
His decision was met with criticism from both politicians and health professionals.