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Health trusts 'reduce deficits' Health trusts 'reduce deficits'
(about 10 hours later)
Northern Ireland's six health trusts have made significant progress in reducing their financial deficits.Northern Ireland's six health trusts have made significant progress in reducing their financial deficits.
The latest figures from the Department of Health show the projected total deficit for the end of the financial year now stands at £7.7m.The latest figures from the Department of Health show the projected total deficit for the end of the financial year now stands at £7.7m.
In September, the figure was almost 10 times greater, at £76m.In September, the figure was almost 10 times greater, at £76m.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said the turnaround could be explained by the adoption of contingency plans that he had recently approved.Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said the turnaround could be explained by the adoption of contingency plans that he had recently approved.
He said other savings and anticipated funding have also reduced the shortfall.He said other savings and anticipated funding have also reduced the shortfall.
The figures are for the period up until the end of October.The figures are for the period up until the end of October.
PROJECTED DEFICITS Belfast Trust: £2mNorthern Trust: £3mSouth Eastern Trust: £1mWestern Trust: £1.7mSouthern Trust: £0Ambulance Service Trust: £0PROJECTED DEFICITS Belfast Trust: £2mNorthern Trust: £3mSouth Eastern Trust: £1mWestern Trust: £1.7mSouthern Trust: £0Ambulance Service Trust: £0
The biggest projected deficit is now in the Northern Trust which, as it stands, will be £3m in the red at the end of the financial year.The biggest projected deficit is now in the Northern Trust which, as it stands, will be £3m in the red at the end of the financial year.
Both the Southern Trust and the Ambulance Trust said that they would break even.Both the Southern Trust and the Ambulance Trust said that they would break even.
Every trust has a statutory duty to break even over the course of the year and Mr McGimpsey said his department, in conjunction with Health and Social Care commissioners, was working with the trusts in an effort to secure a break-even position in 2009/10.Every trust has a statutory duty to break even over the course of the year and Mr McGimpsey said his department, in conjunction with Health and Social Care commissioners, was working with the trusts in an effort to secure a break-even position in 2009/10.
As well as tackling their deficits, the health trusts are also expected to make year-on-year savings while continuing to meet waiting list targets.As well as tackling their deficits, the health trusts are also expected to make year-on-year savings while continuing to meet waiting list targets.
The figures were released in response to an assembly question from Alliance MLA Kieran McCarthy.
He said it was welcome news that the potential deficits had been reduced but cautioned that the reduction must not come at the expense of the delivery of frontline services.
"While we all understand that each government department must live within their means, I would hope that the Department for Health was not trying to do so at the expense of life saving services," he added.