Raymond Farrell
THE Western Health Trust – which covers Fermanagh – has come under a scathing attack after details of a £4.6m budget slash revealed proposals that could “cripple” hospital services.
The proposals to slash health services include a 50 per cent reduction in health professionals, 25% decline in cover for medical staff and a cap on expenditure on lab tests.
The sweeping cuts were laid bare in a letter leaked to NIPSA, a public service union, which has now threatened industrial action.
The four-page letter, sent from Lesley Mitchell, the Western Trust’s Director of finance, highlights how the proposals will “compromise the quality of care” and could result in the closure of an “entire ward”.
The letter also outlines the devastating ripple effects and major impact the £4.6m savings will have on hospitals. It goes on to say: “A range of other services across the entire Trust will be crippled if these plans are implemented including reduction of hospital beds, closure of residential homes and the decimation of domiciliary care.”
In response to the deepening crisis within the Western Trust, a spokesperson for NIPSA said they will have immediate consultations with its members.
The long list of services that will be hit by financial cuts include palliative care, respite for disabled children, reduction in nursing staff and cover for health professionals among many more.
NIPSA official, Alan Law, said the letter painted a ‘very dire picture’.
“One area identified for savings includes the capping of expenditure on lab chemicals, the Trust identifies how this will delay diagnosis and impact on the timely treatment of patients.
“The proposals also include plans to reduce by 25% all unfunded staff in wards, slashing £1.1million from the budget which in their own words will result in the “quality of care being compromised and the closure of an entire ward”.”
“NIPSA believes this is the true face of Transforming Your Care and calls on the Minister of Health Edwin Poots to intervene to ensure patient safety is not compromised.
“NIPSA calls for the Trust to refuse to implement these savings and demands action from the assembly Health Committee.
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