NI budget rises but service transformation needed

In the absence of a power-sharing executive at Stormont, Northern Ireland secretary Karen Bradley (pictured)  announced the allocations to local departments. The rise for the health department will be 3.8% compared with actual funding in 2018/19, including in-year monitoring allocations.

Total resource funding will rise to more than £5.8bn, which includes £74m for increased pension funding, with capital funding set at £280.6m. A Department of Finance statement issued alongside the allocations acknowledged local health and care would face difficulties.

‘While challenges remain due to cost pressures increasing at a higher rate, this will allow the department to preserve key services, prioritise patient safety and support HSC staff in providing the best possible care,’ the statement said.

It added that £100m from the DUP’s confidence and supply agreement with the Conservatives at Westminster will be invested in healthcare transformation projects.

The challenge facing the local service was demonstrated in the latest waiting time figures. At the end of December, inpatient and
day case admissions had grown by 13% compared with a year earlier. While 64.6% of patients were waiting more than 13 weeks for admission, just over 24% (57,000 patients) had waited longer than the 52-week target.

A Department statement said services were not keeping pace with growth in demand. Funding of £30m in 2018/19 had only slowed the overall growth in waiting times.

It added: ‘Fundamental transformation remains the only long-term answer to this problem. While transformation is underway, sustained investment is also required to clear the backlog of patients waiting for treatment.’