TRUST INCURS FINANCIAL DEFICIT OF �375,000, MEMBERS TOLD
Trust incurs financial deficit of �375,00, members told
SPERRIN Lakeland Health and Social Care Trust at its latest meeting projected a financial deficit of �375,000 for the end of the current financial year.
Director of finance, Mr MacCrossan, explained to members of the Board that there had been a �180,000 overspending for salaries and wages, and a �135,000 overspending on goods and services.
He said that the projections had taken into account income shortfalls, such as GP fundholding.
The Trust's finance director provided members with worse case scenarios based on over performance and baseline cost pressures. He noted that clarification had been sought from the Western Heath and Social Services Board on renal funding and from the Southern Health and Social Services Board on overperformance on the acute contract. He said that funding for these services might improve projections by as much as �100,000.
Mr MacCrossan went on to reveal that the Trust's share of the �17m announced prior to Christmas by the Finance Minister, Mr Mark Durkan, would amount to � 1,745m.
He said that �65,000 would go towards revenue equipment and �312,000 for capital equipment. In addition, oil and travel costs would attract �313,000 of the total and funding for services in connection with the Omagh Bomb would also be funded to the tune of �550,000. Costs for staff and winter pressures were allocated �225,000 and baseline pressures �280,000, he said.
Mr Hugh Mills, chief executive clarified for members that the distribution of the �17m was the announcement made prior to Christmas, by the Finance Minister and the allocation of the further announcement by the Minister in January, was still awaited. He noted that both allocations were one off allocations.
Mr O'Kane, non-executive director, acknowledge the work of directors in representing the Trust pressures to the Western Health and Social services Board and securing recognition and funding.
He noted that at the remuneration committee meeting held in November of last year, members had discussed directors' salaries and noted their concern that they had been unable to acknowledge directors efforts, which should be borne in mind at the next committee meeting.
He also said that since the inception of the Trust, the directors had received the baseline of pay increase or below, and that this did not reflect the directors work and achievements.
Chairman of the Board, Mr Richard Scott, reminded members that directors had decided not to take a pay rise in order to meet cash releasing requirements. He added that the outcome of work undertaken on directors' pay for Northern Ireland HPSS staff was awaited.
Mr Eugene Fee, director of acute services, stressed the need for improved and sustained funding for services to enable better planning of provision, and said the critical issue was for the Assembly to adequately fund the service.
Mr Kevin Martin, also a non-executive director, suggested that the Trust should lobby political parties.
Mr Gabriel Carey, director of mental health and elderly services noted the effect the 'stop go' system of finance had on staff morale. He suggested that the true picture should be conveyed to staff.
Mr Mills made reference to the paper prepared by the NHS Confederation entitled, " Northern Ireland Is Missing Millions," and stated that he hoped funding would be put on the same footing as in Scotland. He stated that the extra capacity to deal with winter pressures should be built into the system on a permanent basis.
Mr Mills noted that some non-stock requisitions had been placed on hold, due to the Trust's financial circumstances and that some may now be able to proceed, though not all requisitions would be processed as the allocation was a non-recurring one off payment.
SPERRIN Lakeland Health and Social Care Trust at its latest meeting projected a financial deficit of �375,000 for the end of the current financial year.
Director of finance, Mr MacCrossan, explained to members of the Board that there had been a �180,000 overspending for salaries and wages, and a �135,000 overspending on goods and services.
He said that the projections had taken into account income shortfalls, such as GP fundholding.
The Trust's finance director provided members with worse case scenarios based on over performance and baseline cost pressures. He noted that clarification had been sought from the Western Heath and Social Services Board on renal funding and from the Southern Health and Social Services Board on overperformance on the acute contract. He said that funding for these services might improve projections by as much as �100,000.
Mr MacCrossan went on to reveal that the Trust's share of the �17m announced prior to Christmas by the Finance Minister, Mr Mark Durkan, would amount to � 1,745m.
He said that �65,000 would go towards revenue equipment and �312,000 for capital equipment. In addition, oil and travel costs would attract �313,000 of the total and funding for services in connection with the Omagh Bomb would also be funded to the tune of �550,000. Costs for staff and winter pressures were allocated �225,000 and baseline pressures �280,000, he said.
Mr Hugh Mills, chief executive clarified for members that the distribution of the �17m was the announcement made prior to Christmas, by the Finance Minister and the allocation of the further announcement by the Minister in January, was still awaited. He noted that both allocations were one off allocations.
Mr O'Kane, non-executive director, acknowledge the work of directors in representing the Trust pressures to the Western Health and Social services Board and securing recognition and funding.
He noted that at the remuneration committee meeting held in November of last year, members had discussed directors' salaries and noted their concern that they had been unable to acknowledge directors efforts, which should be borne in mind at the next committee meeting.
He also said that since the inception of the Trust, the directors had received the baseline of pay increase or below, and that this did not reflect the directors work and achievements.
Chairman of the Board, Mr Richard Scott, reminded members that directors had decided not to take a pay rise in order to meet cash releasing requirements. He added that the outcome of work undertaken on directors' pay for Northern Ireland HPSS staff was awaited.
Mr Eugene Fee, director of acute services, stressed the need for improved and sustained funding for services to enable better planning of provision, and said the critical issue was for the Assembly to adequately fund the service.
Mr Kevin Martin, also a non-executive director, suggested that the Trust should lobby political parties.
Mr Gabriel Carey, director of mental health and elderly services noted the effect the 'stop go' system of finance had on staff morale. He suggested that the true picture should be conveyed to staff.
Mr Mills made reference to the paper prepared by the NHS Confederation entitled, " Northern Ireland Is Missing Millions," and stated that he hoped funding would be put on the same footing as in Scotland. He stated that the extra capacity to deal with winter pressures should be built into the system on a permanent basis.
Mr Mills noted that some non-stock requisitions had been placed on hold, due to the Trust's financial circumstances and that some may now be able to proceed, though not all requisitions would be processed as the allocation was a non-recurring one off payment.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0860
Published Date: 29-Mar-01
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