Trust spent £2.3m on taxis

THE Western Trust spent £2.3million taxiing patients, staff, medical record, blood and equipment from A to B over the past three years.

By The Newsroom

Published 3rd Jan 2011, 14:53 BST

In 2007/8 the taxi bill was 700,000 rising to 800,000 in both 2008/9 and 2009/10.

The Health Minister Michael McGimpsey outlined the expenditure in response to an Assembly question.

He explained: "Expenditure incurred is the result of the transport of patients and clients, e.g. the safe transportation of children in care; facilitating transport of patients to renal dialysis treatment; transporting clients to day centres etc.

"In addition there will be occasions where taxis are required for the transportation of blood, medical records, equipment and staff."

Western Trust