Northern Ireland's four health boards are to be scrapped, the health minister announced yesterday.
Ulster Unionist Michael McGimpsey told the Assembly the four boards would be replaced by one centralised health and social care board as part of plans to increase efficiency, cut staff and save more than £53 million (€70.7 million).
The single health authority will manage finances and performance, and will employ about 400 people, some 450 fewer than currently employed at the four boards.
Other reforms include creating five local commissioning bodies that will be closely involved with local government and community groups to plan and redesign health and social services.
The boundaries of these groups will be the same as for the existing boards but with the eastern area split into two. They will cover the same geographical areas as the existing five "super trusts".
Mr McGimpsey said his department would become smaller and more sharply focused.
"We must have a patient-centred service. Value for money is crucial and the way we deliver our services must be focused on maximising benefits to everyone who uses the service," he said.
Tony Buchanan (DUP) claimed the proposals would result in huge costs from managerial pay-offs. Mr McGimpsey said he was not aware of any resulting pay-offs.
Meanwhile, First Minister Ian Paisley said the establishment of a victims and survivors forum may help Northern Ireland deal with the legacy of the Troubles.
Dr Paisley told the Assembly that as a unionist he believed there had been no war in Northern Ireland but a long campaign of terrorism.
Ulster Unionist David Burnside raised concern with the First Minister that the Eames-Bradley consultative group on the past might suggest putting IRA members killed during the Troubles on a level footing with their victims.
The Democratic Unionist Party leader said: "As a unionist I have no doubt that the terror campaign waged against the people of Northern Ireland was terrorism and not a war.
"However, it would be inappropriate for my department to comment upon the findings of a report which is not even published.
"However, the level and nature of the controversy reported recently highlights the contentious and emotive issues that discussions regarding our shared past can lead to. It underlines the necessity for this society to establish a mechanism which will facilitate that discussion.
"The establishment of a forum for victims and survivors may possibly provide that, but I am not sure."
The First Minister also responded to criticism of the wording of a biography of one of the recently appointed victims commissioners.
In a press release Patricia McBride had said her brother Anton was an IRA volunteer killed in active service.
Dr Paisley told the Assembly: "Although my office and the office of the Deputy First Minister were blamed for certain things that appeared in the press, those things were not true.
"We had nothing to do with a biography written by one of the commissioners themselves and printed as she directed it should be printed.
"We have no responsibility for that. I regret it happened because this is a time when we should be treading carefully.
"If there is any delay, any more delay in what these commissioners should be doing, it is the innocent victims that are going to suffer," he said.