Northern Health and Social Care Trust

What Northern Health and Social Care Trust does

Northern Health and Social Care Trust is a statutory public body established in 2007 as one of five health and social care trusts in Northern Ireland, operating under the UK NHS framework through the Health and Social Care (HSC) system. It delivers integrated health and social care services across the Northern Trust area, encompassing two major acute hospitals (Antrim Area Hospital and Causeway Hospital), seven community hospitals (Moyle, Robinson, Dalriada, Mid Ulster, Holywell, Whiteabbey), the new Archway Community Mental Health Centre, and an extensive network of community health, mental health, palliative care, fostering, adoption, and learning disability services. Its service portfolio spans emergency departments, elective surgery, outpatient care, district nursing, social prescribing (Connect North, delivered in partnership with Age NI), specialist services such as the Rowan Sexual Assault Referral Centre (24/7), and pediatric allergy pathways that have reduced wait times by 382 days through allied health professional-led triage.

The Trust operates digital health infrastructure including the My Care patient portal app (over 70,000 downloads) and the Encompass digital patient care transformation system launched in November 2024. Its underlying technology stack centers on digital record access, patient-facing applications, body-worn camera pilots in emergency departments, and social prescribing digital tools, rather than proprietary AI systems. The Trust is governed by a Trust Board chaired by Anne O'Reilly, with Suzanne Pullins serving as Interim Chief Executive and Jennifer Welsh listed as Chief Executive in source material.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through government healthcare commissioning via Health and Social Care Northern Ireland (HSCNI), with services provided free at point of care under the NHS model. A secondary, smaller revenue stream consists of charitable donations supporting Trust funds. The Trust employs 1,001-5,000 staff and serves a regional catchment population across multiple boroughs in the northern region of Northern Ireland. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via hospital and community service access through NHS pathways including GP referrals, emergency departments, and the My Care patient portal.

Name

Northern Health and Social Care Trust

Legal name

Northern Health and Social Care Trust

Website

https://northerntrust.hscni.net

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Northern Health and Social Care Trust is a statutory public NHS body providing integrated hospital, community health, mental health, and social care services to residents of the Northern Trust area in Northern Ireland, funded primarily through HSCNI government commissioning.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Healthcare and Social Care Services

NAICS

Health Care and Social Assistance (62), Social Assistance (624), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (623)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-General Medical & Surgical Hospitals, Nec (8062), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Territorial/Island Health Departments (HLAJAAAE), Independent Primary Care Practices (HLAFAGAA)

Keywords

• Public healthcare services
• Social care delivery
• Community health services
• Digital patient portal
• Hospital and mental health

Headquarters

HQ city

Antrim

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government Healthcare Funding: Publicly funded healthcare services through Health and Social Care Northern Ireland (HSCNI) government commissioning. Services provided free at point of care.
2. Charitable Trust Funds: Donations and charitable funds supporting various Trust services and initiatives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Northern Health and Social Care Trust is a public statutory body that delivers integrated health and social care services across the northern region of Northern Ireland. Its core offering includes acute hospital care (Antrim Area Hospital and Causeway Hospital), emergency and urgent care, community health services, mental health services, social care (fostering, adoption, looked after children), and specialized services such as the Rowan Sexual Assault Referral Centre and Day Opportunities for adults with learning disabilities. Digital services include the My Care patient portal (over 70,000 downloads) and the Encompass digital patient care system.

Product overview

Northern Health and Social Care Trust provides a comprehensive range of health and social care services across the northern region of Northern Ireland. The Trust operates a multi-service portfolio including acute hospitals (Antrim Area Hospital, Causeway Hospital), community health services, mental health services, and social care. Digital services include the My Care patient portal (allowing access to medical records and appointments with 70,000+ app downloads) and the Encompass digital transformation system for patient care. The Trust also provides specialized services including foster care and adoption, learning disability day opportunities, palliative care, and the Rowan Sexual Assault Referral Centre.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• My Care Patient Portal: Digital patient portal allowing users to access parts of their medical records and view appointments
• Connect North
• The Rowan

Products and services

• My Care Patient Portal A patient-facing digital portal and mobile application that allows users to access parts of their medical records, view appointments, and manage their healthcare information. The app has been downloaded by more than 70,000 people in the Northern Trust area.
• Encompass Digital Patient Care System Digital transformation system for patient care that enables digital access to medical records and healthcare services across the Northern Trust.
• Hospital Services (Antrim Area Hospital and Causeway Hospital) Acute hospital services including emergency departments, inpatient care, outpatient appointments, and specialist services at Antrim Area Hospital (headquarters) and Causeway Hospital.
• Mental Health Services Community mental health services including the Archway Community Mental Health Centre, crisis support, counselling, and psychiatric services across the Northern Trust area, including the Royal College of Psychiatrists-accredited Coleraine Community Mental Health Team.
• Social Care Services (Fostering and Adoption) Social work services including foster care recruitment, adoption services, looked after children services, short breaks for children with disabilities, and the STAY supported lodgings programme.
• Paediatric Allergy Pathway An innovative care pathway providing earlier access to specialist allergy advice and dietitian support for infants with egg allergy, reducing wait times by 382 days compared to consultant-led care through allied health professional triage.
• Community Health Services District nursing, health visiting, school nursing, palliative care, and community-based healthcare services across the Northern Trust area, including bereavement and suicide support groups.
• The Rowan Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) A 24/7 Sexual Assault Referral Centre operated in partnership with the Department of Health and PSNI, providing comprehensive support, medical examinations, and forensic services for victims of sexual violence.
• Connect North Social Prescribing Service Social prescribing service operated in partnership with Age NI that connects people with community support services to improve health and wellbeing, with over 2,000 referrals since launch and a directory of over 1,100 services.
• Day Opportunities Service Day services for adults with learning disabilities providing opportunities for community participation, skill development, and employment support, delivered through partnerships including Triangle Housing Association and Compass Advocacy Network.
• Community Hospital Services Community hospital services delivered through Moyle Hospital (Larne), Robinson Hospital, Dalriada Hospital (Ballymoney), Mid Ulster Hospital (Magherafelt), Holywell Hospital (Antrim), and Whiteabbey Hospital (Newtownabbey).

Quantifiable outcome

• 382 day reduction in wait time for allergy patients
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Age NI (Connect North)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022Connect North social prescribing service operated in partnership with Age NI, providing holistic wellbeing support connecting people with community services. Partnership launched end of 2022 and has handled over 2,000 referrals.
• Mid and East Antrim Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Autism Friendly Initiative creating inclusive environments for autistic individuals. Initiative supports public services and businesses to become Autism Friendly as part of Council's Community Plan.
• Causeway Coast and Glens Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Causeway Healthy Kids project delivering community programme focused on increasing physical activity and obesity prevention among school-aged children, reaching 60 schools and 1,609 participants.
• Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Family Support & Social Supermarket Programme providing vouchers, household items and educational toys to vulnerable families, supporting 313 families and 659 children.
• Triangle Housing Association LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Harmony Studio social enterprise (formerly Alternative Angles) supporting adults with learning disabilities in Day Opportunities programme.
• CAN - Compass Advocacy Network LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through The Base in Ballymena providing day opportunities for adults with learning disabilities to develop independence and build friendships.
• All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual collaboration on Palliative Care Week campaign, working together to achieve better experiences of palliative care for people with life-limiting conditions.
• NI HospicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on development of bereavement support resources for adults with learning disabilities, including the 'When someone dies' easy-read booklet.
• Northern Regional CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDay Opportunities service users enrolled with Northern Regional College in Ballymena for educational opportunities.
• The Duke of Edinburgh's Award/Joint Award InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership enabling learning disability service users to participate in The Duke of Edinburgh's Award for the first time.
• Police Service of Northern IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Department of Health and PSNI for The Rowan Sexual Assault Referral Centre, providing 24/7 services 365 days per year for victims of sexual violence.
• Mae Murray FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and Mae Murray Foundation for community kids wellbeing events.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust: Another of the five NI Health and Social Care Trusts, delivering acute hospital services (Ulster Hospital), community health, and social care under the same HSC statutory framework as NHSCT.
• Western Health and Social Care Trust: NI Health and Social Care Trust covering the western region with acute hospitals (Altnagelvin, South West Acute) and integrated community/social services — directly comparable in scope and statutory structure.
• Southern Health and Social Care Trust: Fifth NI Health and Social Care Trust operating across the southern region with Craigavon Area and Daisy Hill Hospitals plus community and social care services — same operating model as NHSCT.
• Belfast Health and Social Care Trust: The largest of the five NI Health and Social Care Trusts, providing integrated acute, community, and social care across the Belfast region. Operates an identical statutory model to Northern HSC Trust, making it the closest functional peer.

Broad incumbents

• Spire Healthcare: UK-listed private hospital group providing elective surgery and outpatient care across 38+ hospitals. Comparable as a broader incumbent in UK hospital services, including potential overlap in Northern Ireland.
• Bupa UK: Largest private healthcare provider in the UK operating hospitals, dental clinics, and care services. Comparable as a broad healthcare delivery incumbent competing for elective and adjacent services in the UK, including Northern Ireland.
• HCA Healthcare UK: Private acute hospital operator in the UK (part of HCA Healthcare) delivering complex and elective care. Comparable as a broader UK healthcare delivery incumbent offering overlapping clinical capabilities.
• Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust: Large NHS Foundation Trust providing acute, community, and specialist services in London. Comparable as a broader UK NHS Trust operating integrated care at greater scale with digital transformation programmes.

Emerging players

• Circle Health Group: UK private hospital operator running 50+ facilities and partner in NHS-run treatment centres. Comparable as an emerging player straddling NHS partnership and private elective delivery in adjacent geographies.
• Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust: Specialist NHS Foundation Trust focused on cancer care with strong digital and research credentials. Comparable in the public-sector innovation and digital health space, though narrower in clinical scope than NHSCT.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/northern-health-and-social-care-trust

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Northern Health and Social Care Trust