Martin Bollard discusses how the new role of health facilitator might be developed

This article offers some initial thoughts on the role of the health facilitator, which was highlighted in the Valuing People White Paper (Department of Health 2001a). It will discuss how services are putting the role into operation and propose two different levels of facilitation. The article will also consider what prevents access to health care and what is meant by facilitation. Although the White Paper pinpoints co-ordination of the health action plan as a key function for the health facilitator, this article will focus primarily on the role itself.