Menu
01/07/2002
Minister announces £4m cash boost for health
Finance Minister Sean Farren has announced the Health Service in Northern Ireland is to get a £4 million cash boost.
The bulk of the funding allocation, some £3 million will be used for cardiac surgery, with the rest going towards other types of operations.
The extra cash for health spending has come about as the result of other Stormont departments underspending their budgets.
The money will be used to fund additional cardiac operations outside the province. The only cardiac surgery carried out is in the Royal Victoria Hospital, where facilities have consistently failed to reach targets for the number of operations performed each year. This has resulted in a backlog of up to 600 patients waiting for surgery.
With some patients waiting up to two years for cardiac surgery the extra funding will allow around 300 patients to have surgery outside the province.
Already around 250 patients a year are attending for surgery in the UK.
The additional funding has been welcomed by the Ulster unionist health spokesperson the Reverend Robert Coulter.
The North Antrim MLA said that the current situation where a small number of patients received surgery and the other had to wait was "inhumane".
However, he said that allocation of £7 million to clear the waiting list once and for all would enable the Department of Health and Social Services to assess the needs of cardiac services without the restrictions imposed by waiting lists.
The round of funding allocations announced by the Finance Minister identified reallocations of almost £120 million which will be used to address priority areas.
The big winners were health, which is to receive around £40 million, and education with an allocation of £12 million.
(SP)
The bulk of the funding allocation, some £3 million will be used for cardiac surgery, with the rest going towards other types of operations.
The extra cash for health spending has come about as the result of other Stormont departments underspending their budgets.
The money will be used to fund additional cardiac operations outside the province. The only cardiac surgery carried out is in the Royal Victoria Hospital, where facilities have consistently failed to reach targets for the number of operations performed each year. This has resulted in a backlog of up to 600 patients waiting for surgery.
With some patients waiting up to two years for cardiac surgery the extra funding will allow around 300 patients to have surgery outside the province.
Already around 250 patients a year are attending for surgery in the UK.
The additional funding has been welcomed by the Ulster unionist health spokesperson the Reverend Robert Coulter.
The North Antrim MLA said that the current situation where a small number of patients received surgery and the other had to wait was "inhumane".
However, he said that allocation of £7 million to clear the waiting list once and for all would enable the Department of Health and Social Services to assess the needs of cardiac services without the restrictions imposed by waiting lists.
The round of funding allocations announced by the Finance Minister identified reallocations of almost £120 million which will be used to address priority areas.
The big winners were health, which is to receive around £40 million, and education with an allocation of £12 million.
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 January 2006
Emergency surgery facilities to be axed from Lagan Valley
Emergency surgery facilities are to be axed from the Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn from next month. The Eastern Health and Social Services Board decided to cut the facilities as part of a plan to develop the hospital as a special centre for elective surgery.
Emergency surgery facilities to be axed from Lagan Valley
Emergency surgery facilities are to be axed from the Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn from next month. The Eastern Health and Social Services Board decided to cut the facilities as part of a plan to develop the hospital as a special centre for elective surgery.
12 March 2002
Extra £46m health funding still falls short
The Stormont Health minister Bairbre de Brún has said the extra £46 million being made available to tackle many of the major problems affecting the crisis-hit NHS is “not enough”. Ms de Brún, whose department received more than £2.
Extra £46m health funding still falls short
The Stormont Health minister Bairbre de Brún has said the extra £46 million being made available to tackle many of the major problems affecting the crisis-hit NHS is “not enough”. Ms de Brún, whose department received more than £2.
01 July 2022
Health Minister Pledges to Reshape General Surgery Services
Reshaping general surgery services will produce better, safer and more consistent care for patients across NI, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced. Minister Swann made the pledge as he published a Review of General Surgery in Northern Ireland.
Health Minister Pledges to Reshape General Surgery Services
Reshaping general surgery services will produce better, safer and more consistent care for patients across NI, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced. Minister Swann made the pledge as he published a Review of General Surgery in Northern Ireland.
07 August 2018
Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill Breaks Her Leg
Sinn Fein's Northern Ireland leader Michelle O'Neill has broken her leg. She is believed to be recovering well following surgery, according to the party. A party spokesperson said: "Michelle O'Neill suffered a leg break in an accident. "She underwent a procedure and is recovering well." No further details have been released.
Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill Breaks Her Leg
Sinn Fein's Northern Ireland leader Michelle O'Neill has broken her leg. She is believed to be recovering well following surgery, according to the party. A party spokesperson said: "Michelle O'Neill suffered a leg break in an accident. "She underwent a procedure and is recovering well." No further details have been released.
31 March 2015
Man Shot In Face Discharged From Hospital
A man who was shot in the face in north Belfast on Sunday night has been discharged from hospital. The victim had to undergo emergency surgery following the attack. Two men forced their way into the man's home in St James Mews, and as he tried to get away, he was shot in the face. Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
Man Shot In Face Discharged From Hospital
A man who was shot in the face in north Belfast on Sunday night has been discharged from hospital. The victim had to undergo emergency surgery following the attack. Two men forced their way into the man's home in St James Mews, and as he tried to get away, he was shot in the face. Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and 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.
