The Department of Health works with a range of national health and social care organisations.
Arm’s length bodies (ALBs) are stand-alone national organisations sponsored by the Department of Health that work closely with the local NHS, social care services, and other ALBs to regulate the system, improve standards, protect public welfare and support local services.
DH advisory bodies are committees, working groups and forums advising on topics across health and social care.
Working with stakeholders is key to the delivery of a patient-centred health and social care system. This section features information on some of the forums and networks that enable the Department of Health to take the health and social care agenda forward with the involvement of parties interested in its work.
PHGs are part of the Department of Health, and are linked to each of the nine regional government offices.