Health unions voice concerns as Northern Trust board approves £50m savings plan
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust board has approved £50m worth of savings at a meeting at Antrim Hospital.
Board members were reminded that the Trust has a statutory duty to break even by March 2027.
Interim chief executive Suzanne Pullins said: “It has been quite challenging trying to identify areas where we can release cash.”
Non-executive member Kathy Mackenzie highlighted a further gap of £3.8m.
The interim chief executive added: “This is very challenging. It does keep me awake at night.”
“Last year, gives me confidence we have processes and we will be able to deliver.”
“We will have to keep a very tight control. We are really under pressure for the rest of the financial year.” She stressed that financial stability is “absolutely critical”.
Jacqui Reid, director of human resources, organisation development and corporate communications, indicated a plan to reduce expenditure on locum costs, agency staff and overtime costs and “focus on strengthening the workforce”.
Also speaking at the meeting, Stephanie Greenwood, trade union Unison’s health convener, said: “We are not satisfied that this financial plan is consulted on properly and has not been shared with staff.
“Staff are in panic mode. They have heard all sorts of rumours. We are not satisfied an equality impact assessment has been done properly.”
Board chair Anne O’Reilly emphasised a duty to break even financially, which she said, has to be the “major driver and consideration” of the Trust board as well as a focus on patient safety.
“As a senior management team, we have been carrying this for months, trying to figure out the best way to go about this with the least impact. It is very sobering where we are. It is not a comfortable decision we have had to make.”
Speaking earlier at the meeting, Stephanie Greenwood said: “We are very concerned about the proposal this board is being asked to consider today, being asked to approve a major cut to the Trust budget.
“This Trust must understand the combined effect such cuts will have on patients and service users.”
She said that the Trust has obligations to consult with trade unions and asked for full disclosure of all relevant information with regard to proposals. She stressed that public bodies have an obligation to consult and carry out assessments such as an equality impact assessment.
She expressed concern that the opposed cuts would “damage public health and negatively affect the workforce”.
“We are very concerned about the proposal to reduce recruitment. Your staff are broken and that is shameful.”
The Trust chair said: “From the Trust’s point of view, we prioritise strong engagement with trade unions and that will continue. These are challenging and difficult times for everyone within health and social care. We know the seriousness of our decision and will exercise our duty to the best of our ability of this board.”
Ian Boersma, higher executive officer, NIPSA, told members it was “unrealistic” to suggest such a cut in funding can be absorbed with “doing more with less”.
He expressed concern that staff would be expected to “absorb additional duties” and he warned that a reduction in agency workers must not become a reduction in workforce capacity.
“Our members believe there should be no cuts to the health service. Patients and staff should not be expected to pay the price. Cuts dressed up as efficiencies are still cuts.
“Staff deserve a pay award and parity. Nobody working in the health service should be struggling to make ends meet. The budget must reflect what is required to provide a safe, effective health service.”
The Department of Health says it is facing a funding gap of around £800m and is currently overspending by £2m per day.
It indicated that Trusts in Northern Ireland have been developing savings plans since January.
The Department said this will include a “vacancy control process, reducing temporary staffing (including bank, agency and locum staff) and setting the appropriate number of hospital beds as more care is delivered in the community, closer to people’s homes”.
“Trusts will also standardise care pathways, shorten hospital stays and reorganise services to strengthen and sustain vulnerable services.”