The Northern Ireland Office has launched a consultation on primary care services in Ulster.

Speaking on Monday, health and social services minister Angela Smith said the quality of existing services would need to be improved over coming years.

A consultation document, "Caring for people beyond tomorrow", set out the potential changes and challenges that primary care services are likely to face.

"Our integrated health and social services has long been admired from afar, but we need to take steps to ensure that the quality of services are maintained and improved for the future," said Smith.

"The proposals outlined place emphasis on the future design and delivery of services, with the ultimate aim of providing a comprehensive person-centred system of care.

"This will ensure that services are readily accessible and responsive to people's needs day and night; and that services are provided in a coordinated, integrated fashion within a multi-disciplinary team approach."

Among the issues highlighted were changes in the population, chronic diseases, technological advances and developments across many professions involved in delivering primary health and social care services.

"The proposals set the strategic direction of change necessary if we are to maintain and further develop a modern, high quality and effective primary health and social care service for all our people," Smith added.