§ Mr. KilfedderTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) whether he will establish an inquiry into the current financial position of Royal Victoria hospital, Belfast; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what is the extent of the financial cuts which Royal Victoria hospital, Belfast, intends to initiate; and what will he the effect of the proposed cuts on patient services, number of hospital beds and hospital wards, and number of medical, nursing and ancilliary staff.
§ Mr. HanleyNo financial cuts are currently planned by the Royal Victoria hospital and there is no need for an inquiry. The Royal Victoria hospital is a member of the royal group of hospitals unit of management within the Eastern health and social services board. The unit of management is required to live within the total allocation available to it and it agrees how this will be achieved each year through the operational planning process with board headquarters.
Regular discussions are held between the board and its units to ensure the effective performance of units within budgets, and these are continuing normally with the royal group of hospitals unit of management.