Health bodies in Northern Ireland face spending pressures that risk pushing them into deficit, auditor general John Dowdall has warned.
In his annual report on the health and social care sector for last year, Dowdall said there had been improvements in health care. However, more needed to be done to improve people’s health in Northern Ireland, in particular relating to smoking and obesity.
Progress had been made in reorganising the health and social care structure. But this had led to staff compensation of £16m, with more to be funded for additional redundancy and early retirement costs. Savings would take time to cover this outlay, said Dowdall.
In his annual report on the health and social care sector for last year, Dowdall said there had been improvements in health care. However, more needed to be done to improve people’s health in Northern Ireland, in particular relating to smoking and obesity.
Progress had been made in reorganising the health and social care structure. But this had led to staff compensation of £16m, with more to be funded for additional redundancy and early retirement costs. Savings would take time to cover this outlay, said Dowdall.
