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Northern Ireland health service cuts to result in fewer beds Northern Ireland health service cuts to result in fewer beds
(35 minutes later)
A number of hard-hitting cuts have been announced to health and social care services across Northern Ireland.A number of hard-hitting cuts have been announced to health and social care services across Northern Ireland.
The cuts will mean potentially more than 100 fewer hospital beds and wards closing at the weekend.The cuts will mean potentially more than 100 fewer hospital beds and wards closing at the weekend.
Implementing the measures, which are described as temporary, will begin within weeks.Implementing the measures, which are described as temporary, will begin within weeks.
The move follows the allocation of £80m by the executive to the Department of Health for the current financial year.The move follows the allocation of £80m by the executive to the Department of Health for the current financial year.
It had been hoped that the figure would have been closer to £160m.It had been hoped that the figure would have been closer to £160m.
The closure of hospital beds will affect mainly the elderly or those who are in transition between hospital and home.The closure of hospital beds will affect mainly the elderly or those who are in transition between hospital and home.
Minor injury units are to close in Armagh, Whiteabbey, County Antrim and Bangor, County Down, while fewer temporary staff are to be used.Minor injury units are to close in Armagh, Whiteabbey, County Antrim and Bangor, County Down, while fewer temporary staff are to be used.
The chief executive of the Health and Social Care Board in Northern Ireland, Valerie Watts, said patient safety remains a priority.The chief executive of the Health and Social Care Board in Northern Ireland, Valerie Watts, said patient safety remains a priority.
She said the cuts "are regrettable but are unavoidable in these times of austerity".She said the cuts "are regrettable but are unavoidable in these times of austerity".
Ms Watts told the BBC that while painful, the measures will not affect patient safety.Ms Watts told the BBC that while painful, the measures will not affect patient safety.
"These are temporary contingency measures that the trusts are putting in place, giving every assurance around patient safety and trying as far as possible to ensure equal access across communities to services as and when they are needed, but our planning process has already begun in relation to the financial year 2015/2016 and onwards and we have to look at some of those key areas where it is best to provide services from now on into the future," she said."These are temporary contingency measures that the trusts are putting in place, giving every assurance around patient safety and trying as far as possible to ensure equal access across communities to services as and when they are needed, but our planning process has already begun in relation to the financial year 2015/2016 and onwards and we have to look at some of those key areas where it is best to provide services from now on into the future," she said.
On Thursday, the trade union NIPSA said that health staff and the general public would be those affected by the cuts.
"Pay restraint in both the private and public sector is hitting workers' pockets and this has resulted in the local economy flat-lining," Kevin McCabe, the union's assistant secretary said.
He said health workers "are being squeezed until the pips squeak".
Ms Watts replaced John Compton in July.Ms Watts replaced John Compton in July.
According to the new chief executive, the move will mean fewer hospital beds and minor injury units being open to the public. This will add pressure to emergency departments.According to the new chief executive, the move will mean fewer hospital beds and minor injury units being open to the public. This will add pressure to emergency departments.
The cuts will also mean fewer home care packages for the elderly and the most vulnerable. Waiting lists for elective procedures such as knees and hips will lengthen.The cuts will also mean fewer home care packages for the elderly and the most vulnerable. Waiting lists for elective procedures such as knees and hips will lengthen.
With waiting lists already growing in these areas and others, Ms Watts told the BBC that they will go through the roof.With waiting lists already growing in these areas and others, Ms Watts told the BBC that they will go through the roof.
Clearly the board's new chief executive is frustrated by the lack of decision making among politicians at Stormont.Clearly the board's new chief executive is frustrated by the lack of decision making among politicians at Stormont.
WranglingWrangling
In normal circumstances, the board would be half-way through its financial year. However, after months of wrangling and a lack of decision making among the politicians the board is now playing catch-up.In normal circumstances, the board would be half-way through its financial year. However, after months of wrangling and a lack of decision making among the politicians the board is now playing catch-up.
The measures, which are described as temporary, include closing dozens of hospital beds even wards in several health trusts.The measures, which are described as temporary, include closing dozens of hospital beds even wards in several health trusts.
Closures will more than likely take place at the weekend with staff redeployed to other areas of the hospital.Closures will more than likely take place at the weekend with staff redeployed to other areas of the hospital.
Those beds will affect mainly the elderly or those who are in transition between hospital and home.Those beds will affect mainly the elderly or those who are in transition between hospital and home.
As 70% of the health budget is spent on salaries it is hardly surprising that the health trusts are looking at this area to make savings.As 70% of the health budget is spent on salaries it is hardly surprising that the health trusts are looking at this area to make savings.
While the health board confirms that no-one will lose their job as a result of these cuts, it is spelt out in black and white that there will be a major cull of all agency and bank posts, which effectively means workers will not be given shifts or contracts.While the health board confirms that no-one will lose their job as a result of these cuts, it is spelt out in black and white that there will be a major cull of all agency and bank posts, which effectively means workers will not be given shifts or contracts.
While the board confirms no clinical jobs will go - the BBC understands that in order to make savings some trusts will target administration costs by not filling clerical vacancies.While the board confirms no clinical jobs will go - the BBC understands that in order to make savings some trusts will target administration costs by not filling clerical vacancies.
Health unions are expected to react to details surrounding pay. It is proposed that staff will receive either the incremental progression they are entitled to or a 1% non-consolidated pay award if they are at the top of their pay scale.Health unions are expected to react to details surrounding pay. It is proposed that staff will receive either the incremental progression they are entitled to or a 1% non-consolidated pay award if they are at the top of their pay scale.
FundingFunding
Earlier, the health minister, Jim Wells, said considering the level of funding it would not be possible to maintain current levels of service provision.Earlier, the health minister, Jim Wells, said considering the level of funding it would not be possible to maintain current levels of service provision.
There remains a priority to reduce the number of breaches in emergency department waiting time targets.There remains a priority to reduce the number of breaches in emergency department waiting time targets.
Mr Wells said that to address the winter pressures £31m would be devoted to protecting unscheduled care and investing in domiciliary care.Mr Wells said that to address the winter pressures £31m would be devoted to protecting unscheduled care and investing in domiciliary care.
Also National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) drugs and treatments will continue to be provided, but at this stage the minister made no reference to purchasing life-enhancing cancer drugs that are currently unavailable to patients living in Northern Ireland.Also National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) drugs and treatments will continue to be provided, but at this stage the minister made no reference to purchasing life-enhancing cancer drugs that are currently unavailable to patients living in Northern Ireland.
Investment will continue in the radiotherapy centre at Altnagelvin Hospital in order to meet the opening deadline of 2016.Investment will continue in the radiotherapy centre at Altnagelvin Hospital in order to meet the opening deadline of 2016.
But Mr Wells has put the main onus of making cuts firmly at the feet of the five Northern Ireland health trusts.But Mr Wells has put the main onus of making cuts firmly at the feet of the five Northern Ireland health trusts.
Each are expected to publish their own cost saving measures including closing minor injury units and the exact number of hospital beds.Each are expected to publish their own cost saving measures including closing minor injury units and the exact number of hospital beds.