Politicians meet with Trust over health cuts

At a Special Meeting of Corporate Services, the Trust updated members on £5 million savings which have to be delivered by March 2015.

Members quizzed the Trust on how these cuts would directly effect patient care in Lisburn.

While the Trust acknowledged that it would do everything it could to minimise the impact on patient care, and the need to balance any increased risks associated with the savings, the cuts would inevitably mean changes to services, for example increased elective waiting times and a reduction in non-essential domiciliary packages. The Trust confirmed that the cuts would not affect those in need of urgent, critical care.

The Trust also confirmed that the cuts in domiciliary care were temporary and it hoped that the delay in the opening of a Minor Injuries Unit was not permanent. However, it was made clear that further cuts would be coming in the next year which would put even greater pressure on an already vastly overstretched budget.

Speaking after the meeting, Chairman of the Council’s Corporate Services Committee, Councillor Pat Catney, said that the Council recognised that the Trust was doing is best, operating in an intolerable position.

“The Trust is facing the most difficult of tasks, identifying where it can make cuts quickly to make a £5 million saving in only four months,” said Mr Catney.

“The fact that the future funding prognosis continues to worsen right across Northern Ireland makes it all the more alarming. We acknowledge the work of the Trust in trying to strike a balance between cost savings and maintaining patient care. We do regret the effect these cuts are having on our services and hope that services are reinstated as soon as possible.”

Councillor Yvonne Craig said it was disappointing the Trust could not provide details on when the Minor Injuries Unit at the Lagan Valley would open. “I know these cuts have to be made because of the failure to implement Welfare Reform, that failure is costing everyone especially the frail and vulnerable of our society with the loss of six elderly care beds in Lagan Valley hospital,” said Mrs Craig. “These are very unpalatable cuts indeed.”

Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson and his Assembly colleagues also met with the Trust to express their concern at the impact of budget cuts on a local level.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Donaldson said: “We were very concerned about the decision to temporarily halt the opening of the Minor Injuries Unit at the Lagan Valley Hospital but have been reassured by the ‘absolute commitment’ given by Hugh McCaughey that the Trust are aiming to open the Unit next year.

“We were told by the Trust that this Unit is an integral part of the Lagan Valley hospital for the future and combined with the existing Casualty Unit and the GP Out of Hours Service will result in the restoration of 24/7 cover at the Lagan Valley. The local community needs to have this service and we are determined to see it delivered.”

Former Health Minister Edwin Poots also welcomed the assurances given by Mr McCaughey and spoke of the need for the public “to have certainty about the future of our local hospital.”