§ Mr. Beggsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what bonus or efficiency payments are payable to managers of health boards; and what are the criteria used in deciding whether or not to grant such payments.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 26 October 1987]: A performance-related pay scheme for general managers of health and social services boards was introduced in December 1986. The scheme allows for annual additions to pay of up to 4 per cent. subject to a maximum of 20 per cent. cumulatively.
The criteria for deciding how much, if any, performance-related pay will be awarded are based on a system of individual performance reviews. This system provides for the setting of a number of key objectives for the year ahead against which the performance of the general manager will be assessed by the chairman on behalf of the board.
§ Mr. Beggsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those health boards which (a) provide all acute medical services to their populations; (b) provide such services to populations outside their area and (c) expect other health boards to provide such services for them; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 26 October 1987]: All four health and social services boards provide a full range of acute medical services with the exception of a small number of regional services for example cardiac surgery, renal services, plastic surgery, which by their nature can best be provided primarily at the main teaching hospitals in the Eastern board area.
In addition certain services because of their highly specialist nature and because of the small numbers involved—for example heart and liver transplants—are provided elsewhere in the United Kingdom. All four boards provide services to population outside their area. The boundaries of areas and units of management are of course for administrative purposes only and are not clinical boundaries; patients and staff can cross them as necessary.
§ Mr. Beggsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of places on each area health board is held by elected representatives.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 26 October 1987]: The information is as follows:
Health and Social Services Board Number of places Number of places held by District Councillors Per cent. Eastern 34 4 12 Northern 29 8 28 Southern 24 6 25 Western 24 8 33 Approximately 30 per cent. of the places on each board are reserved for nominees of district councils. At present there are nine vacancies in this category.