Reviews into reported high costs of hospital services published

Two reviews of the outcome of investigations into high costs of hospital services at the former Royal Group and Greenpark Trusts have just been published.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety commissioned reviews into the high costs at both hospitals following the publication of Professor John Appleby’s report on the provision of Health and Social Care Services in Northern Ireland in 2005. Professor Appleby’s report, which focused on the financial year 2002/03, highlighted that the hospital inpatient and daycase activity delivered in Northern Ireland would have cost less, had the services been delivered at English average costs. The highest individual Trust level variations were identified at the Royal Group and Green Park Trusts.

A spokesperson for the DHSSPS said: “The reports confirm that whilst significant progress has been made in the last few years, there is continuing scope for improved cost efficiency.

“Both reviews contain a range of findings and recommendations, some of which will be applicable more widely to the five new Health and Social Care Trusts. They also found that the programme of health reform driven by the DHSSPS is acting as a catalyst for better use of resources and that the formation of the new Belfast Area Trust must be viewed as a key opportunity to transform services and increase efficiency.

“These reports are valuable additions to the ongoing drive to reform and improve services for health and social care patients and clients. The reports will also inform the future performance management arrangements in the reformed Health and Social Care Services and will assist in the development of required further efficiencies under the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review process.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. These reports have been published on the Department of Health’s website at:-

http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/royal_group_of_hospitals_unit_cost_report.pdf

http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/green_park_unit_cost_report.pdf

2. For press enquiries please contact the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 90520571.

3. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715 440 and your call will be returned.