Speaking at the Health Committee, the Minister outlined that the Health and Social Care service is expected to deliver a further £113million in efficiency savings during the next financial year, on top of an already challenging target of £700million.
Michael McGimpsey said: “Today’s Health and Social Care Service treats thousands more people every year and provides a greater range of services that ever before. Compared to England, our funding gap lies at nearly £600million. Our spending does not match our needs, which are significantly higher.
“Trusts are already struggling to meet the demand for their services within the limited resources they have available. For example, day case admissions have increased by almost 20% over the last five years and there has been a 7% increase in the number of inpatient admissions.
“The Executive and the Assembly tell me I must achieve these savings. Yet when Trusts put forward proposals there is outrage and anger – notably from the public and those very same politicians who imposed the budget, because as we all know, health and social care matters so much to every man, woman and child.
“Today I am asking the Health Committee for its support in the fight for more funding for health and social care. If these cuts proceed, there will be severe consequences. They will impact on our most vulnerable groups, especially the elderly who require more care and support that anyone else.”
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