People with learning disabilities lost out on close to £33 million.

There has been a £33 million underspend in Western Health Trust on people with learning disabilities.

The figures were unearthed by the South West Carers Forum, a group set up to support the carers of those affected by the under spend 

Their information request revealed that over a five year period, Trust investment in services consistently fell short.

West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says this week's revelations may only be the start
 

He said:

“The figures produced by the South West Carers Forum lay bare the extent of the under spend within the Western Trust and this is very concerning. I have raised the issue with the Health Minister, with the Trust and with the Health Board on numerous occasions and have yet to get any answers.

“The Health Minister has not done enough to unearth this great injustice and if this happened anywhere else in the public sector, heads would most definitely roll. We simply cannot continue with the custom of secrecy within the Health Service with a complete abdication of responsibility.

“Families impacted have suffered for long enough through no fault of their own and I would hope that the Health service finally ‘owns up.’ I am meeting with the South West Forum next week and I will be taking their figures to the Health Minister as a matter of urgency."