§ 17. Mr. MealeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met Health and Social Service trade unions in Northern Ireland to discuss problems in health care services in the Province; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NeedhamI met representatives of the Royal College of Nursing on 29 February and the British Medical Association on 27 June 1988. On 6 September last I received a delegation from the Northern Ireland committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, which included representatives of COHSE, NUPE and NIPSA,.
307WDiscussion at those meetings was wide ranging and included the implementation of the regional strategy, funding and competitive tendering.
§ Mr. Jim MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the cost of the feasibility survey on Northern Ireland health care services completed in 1987 by United Medical Enterprises; and if he will list the main recommendations of that survey.
§ Mr. Viggers[holding answer 9 November 1988]: £35,000. The survey found that Northern Ireland possesses the skills and the commitment to enter into the overseas health care market. Four key areas with commercial potential were identified as:
- the availability of skilled staff
- a capacity to provide training in a wide range of health professions
- the supply of goods and equipment
- the treatment of private patients
The full survey report is available from the Library.
§ Mr. Jim MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the purpose and precise terms of reference of the study of Northern Ireland health care services presently being undertaken by United Medical Enterprises.
§ Mr. Viggers[holding answer 9 November 1988]: The objectives of the present United Medical Enterprises study are:
To evaluate the expertise that exists in the identified key areas and quantify the resources available.The key areas are:
- availability of staff
- capacity to provide training
- supply of goods and equipment
- the treatment of private patients
§ Mr. Jim MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why United Medical Enterprises was chosen to survey and study Northern Ireland health care services; and if he will make a statement on the likely cost of its most recently commissioned study.
§ Mr. Viggers[holding answer 9 November 1988]: After considering other companies with the potential to carry out this type of work, UME was selected because of its expertise in this field to undertake a feasibility study in 1987 and the further current detailed study.
The current study is being supported by staff made available by DHSS(NI) and it is estimated that the total public sector commitment of phase II of this study will amount to around £80,000.