§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what the cost of placing and retrieving traffic
£ Trust 1999–2000 2000–2001 2001–02 2002–03 Altnagelvin 7,809 9,877 13,137 23,804 Armagh and Dungannon n/a n/a 1100,000 1104,000 Belfast City Hospital 155,674 92,632 146,800 146,800 Causeway 29,506 42,356 1124,342 1124,342 Craigavon and Banbridge Community 94,267 124,599 116,000 118,000 Craigavon Area Hospitals 132.80 172.20 4,846 5,008 Down Lisburn 253,618.07 313,841.07 314,049.49 370,826.97 Foyle 141,887 150,200 146,800 146,800 Green Park 3,657.58 7,153.45 5,675.15 7,474.95 Homefirst 222,596 240,996 1265,000 1265,000 Mater Hospital 7,079.88 10,404.72 9,992.25 16,027.61 Newry and Mourne 111,609 116,091 107,921.75 134,990.72 Ambulance Service 0.00 0.00 0.00 24,282 North and West Belfast 140,814 166,030 1176,794 1233,460 Royal Group of Hospitals 14,366.86 21,681.57 228 1,086 South and East Belfast 150,358 181,820 186,216 201,368 Sperrin Lakeland 91,962 156,619 211,923 217,824 Ulster Community and Hospitals 44,005 55,020 55,738 74,599 United Hospitals 64,396 73,129 84,241 94,986 n/a = Not available 1 Estimated 2 Renal dialysis patients A Regional Transport Manual for the HPSS was produced and issued by the Department in June 1998. In relation to the use of taxis it states clearly that their use should be strictly controlled in order to minimise costs. Trusts have to ensure that when taxis are used to support fleet operation for regular or ad hoc work, that there are proper management protocols and monitoring arrangements in place.
Trusts must have mechanisms in place to ensure relevant directors are notified of expenditure on taxis. Also taxi services obtained from commercial taxi companies are subject to a process of tender through Regional Supplies Services.