Public invited to public meeting on Western Trust's savings plans

by Gráinne Connolly

The Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) would like to hear the public's views on the 2017/18 Savings plans proposals. 

They're seeking the public's views on a series of proposals being put forward to enable the health and social care services to be delivered within the funding available.

Speaking about the draft savings plan, Western Trust Chief Executive, Dr Anne Kilgallen said: 

"All five Health and Social Care Trusts across Northern Ireland have been asked to generate savings totalling £70 million before the end of this current 2017/18 financial year. 

"The Western Trust's share of the £70m is £12.5m. We have therefore developed a range of savings proposals which will go out for public consultation."

Dr Kilgallen expressed the how important their patients safety is to them: 

"The safety of the patients and clients under our care is our utmost priority and we have borne this in mind in developing our proposals. 

"The Trust has sought to protect emergency and unscheduled care, red flag and cancer patients, looked after children (child protection), frail people and people with a disability.

"It is important to note that the draft savings plan is a public consultation and that no decisions have been made regarding the implementation of the proposals contained within the plan." 

A spokesperson for the Department of Health also commented: 

“The indicative resource allocation for the Department of Health is £5,095.4m, which provides an additional £224.8m for Health, when compared against the allocated budget at the start of the 2016/17 financial year.

"This indicative allocation includes the additional one-off, allocation of £60.1m, in July from the Secretary of State. Despite this, the financial challenge for Health remains significant due to inflation, (widely recognised as 6% per annum), an increasing and ageing population and the cost of new treatments.

"HSC Trusts have been tasked by the Department with developing draft savings plans to deliver a total of £70m of savings in 2017/18 which must be achieved as part of the financial plan for this year.

"The HSCB will work with the Trusts during the consultation period to develop actions to mitigate as far as possible the proposed temporary service changes to maintain quality of provision. Maintaining patient safety remains the prime priority for the HSC.” 

All members of the public are encouraged to attend the consultations which will be held at a number of venues: 

Limavady –

Monday 18 September in the Roe Valley Leisure Centre from 2pm to 4pm

Omagh –

Thursday 21 September in the Omagh Leisure Centre from 2pm to 4pm

Londonderry –

Tuesday 26 September in the Verbal Arts Centre from 7pm to 9pm

Strabane - 

Wednesday 27 September in the Fir Trees Hotel from 2pm to 4pm

Enniskillen –

Thursday 28 September in the Lakeland Forum from 7pm to 9pm

If you are unable to attend a consultation meeting but would like to comment on the consultation you can do so before the deadline: 5th October 2017

Information on how to respond to the consultation can be found in the ‘Consultations’ area on the Trust’s website www.westerntrust.hscni.net