Dept of Health Welcomes Audit Office Report

The Department of Health has welcomed the publication of an NI Audit Office report on the health service waiting list crisis.

The report, published by Northern Ireland's Comptroller and Auditor General, accurately highlights what is required to turn the current unacceptable situation around. This involves long-term investment and an ongoing drive to develop dedicated elective care centres in Northern Ireland.

The Department is clear that budgetary pressures and uncertainty have been a major impediment to elective care provision. The report correctly emphasises the crucial need for a sustainable funding framework for our health service.

The Comptroller and Auditor General report also underlines the importance of establishing a network of dedicated elective care centres in Northern Ireland. This is a central component of the Department's approach and important progress is being made.

Day Procedure Centres are now up and running at the Lagan Valley and Omagh Hospital sites, while Elective Overnight Stay Centres are treating patients at the Mater, Daisy Hill and South West Acute Hospital sites. In addition we have cataracts centres at Downe, South Tyrone and Mid Ulster Hospital and an orthopaedic hub at Musgrave Park Hospital which includes the Duke of Connaught Unit, a dedicated orthopaedic Day Procedure Centre.

The Department of Health will carefully consider, and respond to, all the Audit Office recommendations.