This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6919869.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
NI health service wastes millions NI health service wastes millions
(2 days later)
By Dot Kirby BBC NI health correspondent
Millions of pounds are being wasted every year due to the inefficient way the health service in Northern Ireland is being run, the BBC has learned.Millions of pounds are being wasted every year due to the inefficient way the health service in Northern Ireland is being run, the BBC has learned.
The total waste last year was more than £21m.The total waste last year was more than £21m.
Health correspondent Dot Kirby said the cost of people being kept in hospital waiting for heart surgery alone was £3m. The cost of people being kept in hospital waiting for heart surgery alone was £3m.
"Every night a few dozen people will be in hospitals across NI waiting for a heart operation," she said. Every night a few dozen people will be in hospitals across Northern Ireland waiting for a heart operation.
"Too ill to be at home, many lie in hospital for several weeks before they get their surgery. The cost of keeping them there added up to more than three million last year. Too ill to be at home, many lie in hospital for several weeks before they get their surgery. The cost of keeping them there added up to more than three million last year.
"Not only that, but many people with broken bones can wait up to a week for their surgery as well. And the financial cost of that was almost another £3m." Not only that, but many people with broken bones can wait up to a week for their surgery as well. And the financial cost of that was almost another £3m.
The cost of looking after delayed discharges last year was almost 16m Dot Kirby The cost of looking after delayed discharges last year was almost 16m
There are millions more being lost as a result of delayed discharges.There are millions more being lost as a result of delayed discharges.
"These are people who are medically ready to be discharged - but they need some social services support - to live outside hospital - and it isn't available," continued Dot Kirby. These are people who are medically ready to be discharged - but they need some social services support - to live outside hospital - and it isn't available.
"The cost of looking after delayed discharges last year was almost £16m. The cost of looking after delayed discharges last year was almost £16m.
"So in all the health service spent £21m last year looking after people inappropriately." So, in all, the health service spent £21m last year looking after people inappropriately.