Menu
18/10/2016
Only £21.5m Of £40m Allocated Used To Tackle Waiting Lists In NI
Only £21.5million of £40m allocated to tackle waiting lists in Northern Ireland was spent on the problem, according to the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).
Mr Tom Elliott MP described the news as "shocking" and said: "There will be many thousands of people waiting for treatment who will find this revelation that almost half of the £40m couldn't be spent because it came too late absolutely abhorrent."
The Ulster Unionist Party has revealed that only £21.5m of a £40m allocation last year to tackle Northern Ireland;s spiralling waiting lists was spent on that problem.
UUP Health Spokesperson, Jo-Anne Dobson MLA, said: "The crisis affecting our entire health service is unprecedented. Currently over one in five of the population are on a hospital waiting list, often in unbearable levels of pain and anxiety.
"Whist many had hoped to benefit from last year's announcement of an extra £40m, they will quite understandably be furious today to learn than £18.5m was redirected to other pressures. At the time I warned the announcement had come so late in the financial year that hospitals would struggle to be able to respond and unfortunately that's exactly what has happened.
"Whilst much of the £18.5m was utilised on a range of other genuine pressures, such as domiciliary care and GP out of hours, it is simply unacceptable that patient expectations were raised so highly, only to be so cruelly knocked down. Whilst the headline allocation of £40m to tackle waiting lists was a convenient pre-election diversion for the DUP, their inept announcement of it meant only a fraction of the operations and treatments they promised would happen did happen."
(CD/LM)
Mr Tom Elliott MP described the news as "shocking" and said: "There will be many thousands of people waiting for treatment who will find this revelation that almost half of the £40m couldn't be spent because it came too late absolutely abhorrent."
The Ulster Unionist Party has revealed that only £21.5m of a £40m allocation last year to tackle Northern Ireland;s spiralling waiting lists was spent on that problem.
UUP Health Spokesperson, Jo-Anne Dobson MLA, said: "The crisis affecting our entire health service is unprecedented. Currently over one in five of the population are on a hospital waiting list, often in unbearable levels of pain and anxiety.
"Whist many had hoped to benefit from last year's announcement of an extra £40m, they will quite understandably be furious today to learn than £18.5m was redirected to other pressures. At the time I warned the announcement had come so late in the financial year that hospitals would struggle to be able to respond and unfortunately that's exactly what has happened.
"Whilst much of the £18.5m was utilised on a range of other genuine pressures, such as domiciliary care and GP out of hours, it is simply unacceptable that patient expectations were raised so highly, only to be so cruelly knocked down. Whilst the headline allocation of £40m to tackle waiting lists was a convenient pre-election diversion for the DUP, their inept announcement of it meant only a fraction of the operations and treatments they promised would happen did happen."
(CD/LM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 November 2024
69-Year-Old Extradited From Spain To Face Child Abuse Charges
A 69-year-old man has been extradited from Spain to stand trial Northern Ireland for child-related sexual offences that occurred in the mid-1980s and early 1990s.
69-Year-Old Extradited From Spain To Face Child Abuse Charges
A 69-year-old man has been extradited from Spain to stand trial Northern Ireland for child-related sexual offences that occurred in the mid-1980s and early 1990s.
25 November 2024
Man Jailed In Connection With Annahilt Cannabis Farm
The PSNI has welcomed the sentencing of a man at Craigavon Crown Court in connection with a cannabis farm disovered in Annahilt in February, 2023. Clive Weir, from the Annahilt area, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and 18 months on licence.
Man Jailed In Connection With Annahilt Cannabis Farm
The PSNI has welcomed the sentencing of a man at Craigavon Crown Court in connection with a cannabis farm disovered in Annahilt in February, 2023. Clive Weir, from the Annahilt area, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and 18 months on licence.
15 November 2024
Winter Vaccines: Get Boosted To Protect Yourself
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging eligible individuals in Northern Ireland to get their annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. The agency highlights the significant benefits of vaccination in reducing severe illness and death, especially for those at high risk.
Winter Vaccines: Get Boosted To Protect Yourself
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging eligible individuals in Northern Ireland to get their annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. The agency highlights the significant benefits of vaccination in reducing severe illness and death, especially for those at high risk.
14 November 2024
Minister Reacts To Teachers' Union Ballot Threat
Education Minister Paul Givan has responded to the announcement by several teachers' unions that they plan to ballot their members for industrial action over 2024/25 pay. Earlier this year, the Minister provided funding to successfully resolve the long-running industrial dispute over teachers' pay for 2021-24.
Minister Reacts To Teachers' Union Ballot Threat
Education Minister Paul Givan has responded to the announcement by several teachers' unions that they plan to ballot their members for industrial action over 2024/25 pay. Earlier this year, the Minister provided funding to successfully resolve the long-running industrial dispute over teachers' pay for 2021-24.
12 March 2024
O'Dowd Announces New Measures To Tackle MOT Waiting Lists
New measures designed to tackle MOT waiting lists have been announced by Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd. Speaking in the Assembly on Monday, 11 March, Mr O'Dowd said he will explore the introduction of temporary exemption certificates and proposals to consult on testing every two years.
O'Dowd Announces New Measures To Tackle MOT Waiting Lists
New measures designed to tackle MOT waiting lists have been announced by Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd. Speaking in the Assembly on Monday, 11 March, Mr O'Dowd said he will explore the introduction of temporary exemption certificates and proposals to consult on testing every two years.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
