Launching a project which will pilot and evaluate advocacy services on health and social care issues for people with dementia and their carers, Mr McGimpsey said: “I believe it is the people who require our services and support who know what sort of services they need, and how and where they should be delivered. And so I want to have the voice of services users and their carers heard. Integrating those voices into the planning and delivery of services is essential when it comes to planning and commissioning services.”

Mr McGimpsey also acknowledged the importance of the role of carers in health and social care, and of community and voluntary groups in policy formulation. He continued: “The role of carers is invaluable and it is essential that they are recognised and supported in what they do. Therefore some £2million of the extra funding I have secured for health will be made available over the next three years to deliver a significant increase in respite places for those with dementia.

“The voluntary and community groups who work to support people with dementia and their carers represent a skilled, well informed and dedicated resource. I want my Department to develop even stronger partnerships with these groups, so we can work together to provide a world class health and social care system.”

The project, ‘Let me speak – help me be heard’ – is run by the Northern Ireland section of the Alzheimer’s Society.