450 Jobs To Be Axed In Health Reforms
By News Northern Ireland

Paying off top officials as part of an overhaul of the health service will push the reform cost to £70million, an Assembly member has claimed.

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey was challenged after he announced the creation of a regional health and social care board – the creation of which iwll see 450 jobs axed.

DUP MLA Tom Buchanan asked Mr McGimpsey to clarify whether “huge managerial pay-offs” would mean the reform cost would run into tens of millions of pounds.

The minister asked for more information about the managerial pay-offs and said he was not aware of them.

The centralised board planned will replace four smaller bodies, the health minister told the Assembly.

Mr McGimpsey added that he intended to create five local groups for commissioning services, which will include local councillors.

The UUP Minister said: “Value for money is crucial and the way we deliver our services must be focused on maximising benefits.

“I want a modern, responsive and forward-looking health service which tackles health inequalities and puts patients at the heart of its thinking.”