The Counter Fraud Unit was established in January 2001 to provide a central resource for carrying out patient excemption checks and investigations into potential fraud involving practitioners. The CFU also provides specialist advice to HSS Boards on anti-fraud measures, the identification of risk and on the conduct of investigations.

The Equality Unit was established during 2000-2001 and currently delivers a range of services to the following clients: the Department of Health and Social Services and Public Safety, the Health Promotion Agency for NI, the NI Medical Physics Agency, the NI Guardian Ad Litem Agency, The NI Blood Transfusion Service, the NI Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Eductaion and the Mental Health Commission for NI.

Family Practitioner Services provides a range of support functions on behalf of the Health Boards, to Medical, Dental and Ophthalmic Practitioners and Pharmacists. Their main functions include; registration of patients, processing and payment of Dental and Ophthalmic claim forms; payment of Doctors fees and allowances; processing and payment of prescription items and providing information to Boards, the Professions and the HSS Executive.

The Finance Directorate provides a range of financial services directly to HPSS organistaions including payment of practitioners on behalf of Boards and the operation of central banking arrangements for Boards and Trusts.
Financial support is provided to all units within the Agency including costings, budgetary control and financial advice.

Human Resources main role is the support and development of the Agency and its staff. HR also provide a service in many areas, including personnel, training and organisational change advice to other HPSS organisations, including SHSSB, Regional Medical Physics Agency and Guardian Ad Litem Agency.

The Directorate of Legal Services is the largest single provider of legal services to the NIHPSS and it is the only practice in Northern Ireland that deals exclusively with the HPSS. It provides a comprehensive and cost effective service to Boards, Trusts and Agencies. These services cover four main areas of law:- Medical Negligence; Family Law; Employers and Public Liability; and Employment Law.

Regional Supplies Service is the sole supplier of professional supplies services within the Northern Ireland HPSS. A full procurement service is provided to Boards, Trusts and Agencies through its five sections.

** Important notice about the Research and Development Office **
As of the 1st April 2009, the functions of the Research and Development Office transferred to the new Public Health Agency. The details below remain valid during the short transition period.

The Research and Development Office was established to promote, co-ordinate and support R+D within the NIHPSS. Its remit encompasses the research needs of the DHSS&PS and all sectors of Health and Social Care within Northern Ireland. The R+D Office has a dual role of strategically providing a direction for the HPSS and, operationally, supporting initiatives from education and training to direct commissioning.

Click here for the Website of the Office for Research Ethics Committees for Northern Ireland.