Trust spent £500,000 on taxis

Taxis may be used by Health Trusts for various purposes, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey revealed.

This includes the transportation of blood, medical records, equipment, staff, clients or patients, although most expenditure is incurred on the transport of patients and clients.

The minister revealed the information in response to a question tabled at the Stormont Assembly.

SDLP MLA Tommy Gallagher wanted to know details of tenders from taxi companies that were received by each Health and Social Care Trust in 2007/08 and 2008/09.

No tenders were received by WHSCT in 2007/8 but last year 17 were received with the successful applicant securing a contract with annual value of 500,000.

In the Belfast Trust 11 tenders were received in 2008/09 and the successful one had an annual value of 1m.

In terms of the Southern Trust, there was one tendering process undertaken during 2007 through the Regional Supplies Service covering the period August 2007 to July 2012.

Twenty-three bids were received and 18 companies have been used over the period to date. The annual value is approximately 1m.