CSR briefing with DHSSPS

Dr Andrew McCormick, Permanent Secretary DHSSPS, was joined by John Deery, Director of Finance, Sean Holland, Chief Social Services Officer and Tony Rogers.

The event was attended by 70 people from the voluntary and community sector. Andrew McCormick started with a presentation outlining the current position of Health and Social Services in Northern Ireland.  During Dr McCormick’s engaging presentation he highlighted a number of issues, including the current investment, the need in Northern Ireland compared to that in England and the Department’s position against cuts. 

Dr McCormick also set out the next steps for the Department presenting their case and told the audience that there is a diminishing trajectory of spend per head in Northern Ireland compared to England.

Dr McCormick was asked about driving forward a strategic approach to health and social services in terms of increasing the range of providers. He responded by agreeing that a more diverse range (of providers) would drive better spending and improve service delivery.  Dr McCormick also said that the Health and Social Care Board will have a major role in ensuring there is a level playing field in terms of providing services. 

When asked about children’s services the panel agreed that the funding is a key priority and they must do all they can to protect children’s services.

Dr McCormick was asked about Section 75 and how it provides a way to tackle social inequalities; the panel commented on how ‘salami slicing’ can have a negative impact: “if any cuts are proportionate then it could be the disproportionate groups who would be worst affected.”

Dr McCormick talked about the Minister’s priorities, saying that the top priority is keeping services open, but the worst case scenario is that development service will be hard to hold on to. 

A delegate raised the issue of the long term impact of the current financial situation and highlighted that the voluntary and community sector is not fully included in the process.  They commented that the sector is involved in a parallel process and asked if the sector is not included what state would health be in, in five years time.  The panel commented that this is a long and complicated process and that during the full consultation there will be a major role for all organisations concerned. 

The panel was asked to confirm if the Health Trusts have been asked to find 24% savings over the next Budget period. Dr McCormick again informed the audience that no final decision has been made and no decision can be made until the Department knows how much money it will receive, but he did stress that the Department is looking at a number of different options. 

Seamus McAleavey concluded by thanking the panel and saying that in Northern Ireland we do cuts, not efficiencies and that the voluntary and community sector could get hit pretty hard. However, there will be opportunities for us all and now is the time for us to get involved. 

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To see reports of the previous briefing meetings held with departments, see Meet the Government Departments ...