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Three chances for public to discuss Southern Trust’s £6.4m cut to services

Three meetings will be held on consecutive days

craigavon-hospital

Members of the public will have three chances to discuss the Southern Health Trust’s plans to cut £6.4m from services this year.

The Southern Health and Social Care Trust is hosting public meetings as part of its consultation on its draft Savings Plan for 2017/2018.

Health and Social Care Trusts across Northern Ireland have been tasked by the Department of Health with developing draft 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 Southern Trust’s draft plans were issued for public consultation following a meeting of Trust Board on Thursday, August 24.

The public meetings will take place on:

  • Tuesday 26th September, Boardroom, Craigavon Area Hospital (Main Building) from 6-8pm.
  • Wednesday 27th September, Conference Room, Ballybot House, Newry from 4-6pm.
  • Thursday 28th September, Workshop Room 1, Marketplace Theatre, Armagh from 2-4pm.

Southern Trust proposals will contribute £6.4m towards the regional health and social care savings target of £70m.

The main points of the plan are:

  • There is no direct impact on current staff, but the Trust will maintain current vacancy management processes;
  • Planned service developments will be progressed as quickly as possible, but are unlikely to be implemented before April 2018;
  • The Trust currently supplies small aids and appliances e.g. items for personal care to clients to support them at home. How these are provided will change to a home delivery service. Any clients affected will be contacted directly to explain how this will work.

The Southern Trust 2017/2018 Financial Planning Saving Plan is now out for consultation until 5th October and is available at: http://www.southerntrust.hscni.net/about/consultations.htm

Please contact the Trust’s Equality Unit to advise if you have any particular requirements to enable you to participate in the public meetings Email: Equality.Unit@southerntrust.hscni.net Tel: 028 375 64152   or   028 375 64247

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