8k patients transferred to private firms

There were 8,866 referrals to private providers in total throughout 2011/12; 2,574 of these were inpatient attendances; 3,765 were new outpatient attendances; and 2,527 were review outpatient attendances.

Former Health Minister Michael McGimpsey asked Mr Poots how many patients each Health and Social Care Trust referred to an independent sector provider in the 2011/12 financial year.

Mr Poots provided details for the number of inpatient admissions and outpatient attendances undertaken by patients transferred by HSC Trusts to the Independent Sector during 2011/12, by transferring HSC Trust including WHSCT.