HSSD overspends budget by £1.5m.
HEALTH and Social Services has failed to meet its 2012 budget, overspending by £1.5m.
HEALTH and Social Services has failed to meet its 2012 budget, overspending by £1.5m.
An external consultant has now been brought in to help review its finances.
The department, supported by Treasury and Resources, has launched the 'Budget Challenge', which will involve an overview of spending in each directorate and interviews with all budget holders within HSSD.
It said the challenge, funded through the Financial Transformation Programme, would also see 'quick action to turn saving opportunities into reality'.
HSSD minister Hunter Adam, pictured, said the overspend was due to 'unavoidable financial pressures', which included the costs of additional agency staff and a large increase in the number of children who are required under the Children's Law to be looked after by the department.
