EXCLUSIVE: NI health chief warns; 'we're in for a difficult winter'

Northern Ireland's health chief has said the system needs to be prepared for challenging times over the winter pressures period.

The Permanent Health Secretary said while there are strategies in place, healthcare professionals should expect significant challenges.

Richard Pengelly was speaking as the department announced patients are to get access to specialist cystic fibrosis drugs.

He told Downtown Cool FM we have a difficult few months ahead:

"As ever at this time of year, we're working very aggressively on our winter planning.

"The reality is we have a system that is under considerable pressure, we've a workforce that hasn't really had a sustained break since last winter.

"I know that colleagues across the system will give it their all to try and ease the strain on that and take the burden of it but we can't fool ourselves, it's going to be a difficult winter."

He also warned there are 'possibilities of a very difficult flu strain coming from the Southern hemisphere.'

On Saturday, a Westminster report found Northern Ireland's healthcare system is 'on the brink of collapse.'

MPs on the committee said medics are struggling to meet the needs of an ageing population without proper financial support.

Chair Simon Hoare said: "The stark reality is that the Northern Ireland health service is falling behind the rest of the UK.

"An approach to funding that simply keeps things ticking over, and an absence of over-arching strategy in key areas, has left services at breaking point and this situation must end as soon as possible."

It said the department must do more to demonstrate its commitment to developing long-term strategies for these services.

The Committee found that it must also take immediate action to tackle acute issues facing the health service, including cancer waiting times, shortages in social care staffing and inadequate mental health funding.

Mr Hoare added: "Health services need the funding and long-term security necessary to allow them to transform and innovate, to truly address the short and long term pressures they will face.

"We have called for the Government to end the insecurity and set three-year minimum budget allocations to give vital services the space to breathe and look ahead.

"We also expect more regular updates on the progress in developing strategies in key areas, particularly cancer services and mental health.''

He said the UK Government must also accept that, while decisions over the direction of Northern Ireland health services should be taken by the Stormont Executive, delay is no longer an option.

"Should Stormont not form this year, they must take action in the interim otherwise vital services will only deteriorate further.''

The committee said successive one-year budgets were impeding planning and investment in Northern Ireland's health and social care services.

Mr Pengelly told the MPs: "I would not only welcome a budget for 2019-20; I would love a budget for the next two or three years to undertake that long-term planning. I think I could make bigger, more significant change in that context.''

Without a long-term approach, the measures needed for improving outcomes and delivering value for money cannot be taken, the committee report said.

"We recommend that, following consultation between the Department of Health, the HSC Trusts and the community and voluntary sectors to determine budget priorities, the UK Government work with the Department of Health and the Department of Finance to produce three-year minimum budget allocations.

"This should be implemented from the next budget.''

A Department of Health spokesman said: "The department welcomes the publication of the report by the NI Affairs Committee and will carefully consider its recommendations.''

A UK Government spokesperson said: "Health and social care services in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter. Since coming to office earlier this year, the Secretary of State has visited a number of health and social care facilities and he fully understands the pressures that the sectors are facing.

"That is why he is doing everything he can to get the Stormont institutions back up and running as soon as possible, in order that local politicians make decisions affecting everyone in Northern Ireland.

"The Secretary of State will consider the recommendations contained in the report and respond in due course."