RCN Northern Ireland welcomes revised health budget
Published: 22 January 2008
RCN Northern Ireland welcomes enhanced funding for health and social care
RCN Northern Ireland has welcomed the revised budget allocations for health and social care announced by the Northern Ireland Executive on Tuesday 22 January 2008.
Resources for new service developments over the next three years have doubled from £145 million in the draft budget to £300 million. Provision for associated capital development has increased by 30 per cent compared to the previous three years. The DHSSPS will also be able to access up to £20 million per annum from under-spending across other departments and to re-invest its own efficiency savings and under-spends. The revised Budget has been welcom by Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety Michael McGimpsey MLA.
RCN Northern Ireland Deputy Director Janice Smyth said: “The RCN is pleased that the Northern Ireland Executive has listened to the concerns of those representing the health services, including nurses, over the draft Budget and Programme for Government. The additional allocation of money for health will make a significant difference to the care of patients in Northern Ireland and will provide more and improved services to those most in need.
"Nurses in Northern Ireland have consistently embraced change, displayed a commitment to modernisation and worked tirelessly to ensure that patients are treated at all times with professional skill and dignity. We will support them to ensure that patients benefit from the positive developments this additional funding will bring.”
The RCN Northern Ireland response to the draft Budget and Programme for Government, published earlier this month, had highlighted the inadequacies of the draft allocations for 2008-2011 in terms of meeting health and social care need, calling on the Executive to provide additional funding.