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NI medical supplies 'in jeopardy' | NI medical supplies 'in jeopardy' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The supply of essential medical products to hospitals in Northern Ireland has been put in jeopardy, a health service provider has claimed. | The supply of essential medical products to hospitals in Northern Ireland has been put in jeopardy, a health service provider has claimed. |
Stephen McCarroll, from Surgery Systems Ireland, said some local health trusts have not paid their bills on time. | Stephen McCarroll, from Surgery Systems Ireland, said some local health trusts have not paid their bills on time. |
He said the Belfast Trust had 170 invoices currently outstanding. | He said the Belfast Trust had 170 invoices currently outstanding. |
In a statement, the Belfast Trust said its payment policy was consistent with the CBI prompt payment code and government accounting rules. | In a statement, the Belfast Trust said its payment policy was consistent with the CBI prompt payment code and government accounting rules. |
Mr McCarroll said stocks in some hospitals were running low. | Mr McCarroll said stocks in some hospitals were running low. |
"We have already been notified that a Belfast hospital has completely run out of nebuliser kits," he said. | "We have already been notified that a Belfast hospital has completely run out of nebuliser kits," he said. |
"They are used for asthmatics and people with acute respiratory conditions." | "They are used for asthmatics and people with acute respiratory conditions." |
The trust said Surgery Systems Ireland had received a payment this month, with a further payment scheduled for this week. | The trust said Surgery Systems Ireland had received a payment this month, with a further payment scheduled for this week. |
A spokesperson for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety said Mr McCarroll had contacted them, but was referred back to the Belfast Trust. | |
"The target set for all health and social care trusts is to pay 95% of valid invoices within 30 days," he said. | "The target set for all health and social care trusts is to pay 95% of valid invoices within 30 days," he said. |
The department has recently advised trusts to settle invoices within 10 days as a response to the current economic downturn. | The department has recently advised trusts to settle invoices within 10 days as a response to the current economic downturn. |
In 2007-08, the Belfast Trust paid 90% of its invoices within the 30 day target. | In 2007-08, the Belfast Trust paid 90% of its invoices within the 30 day target. |
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