Delays on information from Trust ‘unacceptable’ says Mid-Ulster MLA

The Mid Ulster MLA had asked a number ofAssembly Questions seeking information on delays in providing and the extent of private care provider involvement.

Mr McGlone said, “The failure of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust to provide basic information on the provision of care packages is completely unacceptable.

“All other Trusts were able to provide information on the number of people whose domiciliary care package has been approved but not yet implemented, and the number of hours of care this equates to.

“My office is aware of continuing delays in implementing care packages in the Northern Trust area. The figures from the other Trusts confirm that this is also a problem elsewhere, with the vast majority of hours of care not yet implemented due to be provided by private care providers.”

A spokesperson for the Northern Trust said: “The Northern Trust responded to the Assembly Questions to explain that the IT system was undergoing validation and it was not possible to provide validated figures at that stage.

“Unfortunately that explanation did not accompany the response issued to Mr McGlone however the Trust is grateful to have the opportunity to explain and clarify its position.

“A new information system is being rolled out within this service to ensure that figures can be interrogated and accurate results obtained. The validation process is expected to complete by the end of November and the Trust will be more than happy to supply the figures requested to Mr McGlone at this time.

“In providing a response the Trust was making every effort to ensure that data provided would be accurate and, to ensure transparency, to explain why this was not possible at that time.”