Some GPs on £100 an hour at covid centers with no patients
Some GPs are earning £100 an hour in Covid-19 treatment centres and not seeing any patients, the Health Department has confirmed.
Health Minister Robin Swann said there were 11 days where nobody was seen at special clinics established across Northern Ireland.
They are for patients who are very unwell, are suspected of having the disease and require medical attention.
TUV leader Jim Allister challenged their "gross under-use", and asked if there was the financial sense in continuing with their operation.
However, Mr Swann said establishment of the centres was an urgent and immediate response to the challenges of Covid-19, thousands have been seen there to date, and staffing is now at 50% of what it was at the height of the infection.
He also cited the importance of ensuring the health service is able to react flexibly to the virus: "While we have Covid-19 in retreat we have not defeated it yet and I would be negligent in my duty if I did not make sure that we had the ability to respond should there be an outbreak," said Minister Swann.