§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the implications for(a) acute services and (b) care for the elderly as a result of the funding shortfall within the Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust. [164574]
§ Angela SmithThe Department is aware that there have been additional service pressures placed on the Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust as a result of funding issues, but at this stage the Trust expects to achieve a break-even position for 2003–04.
In recognition of the demands placed on the Trust, during 2003–04 an extra £1 million funding was made available to support Acute Services and the Elderly Programme of Care in the North Down and Ards area. Further work is also being carried out on re-balancing funding allocations, with a subsequent consultation exercise planned to take place in May 2004.
In the longer term, developments at the Ulster Hospital, including the current major re-development programme, are expected to address the equity gap. The Department continues to monitor the position and has been assured that all reasonable steps are being taken to address pressures on local community and hospital services.
§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he plans to take to address the funding shortfall within(a) the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald and (b) the Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust. [164575]
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- Poole Borough Council
- Surrey County Council
- Waverly Borough Council