Health cuts could be painful
HAVING transformed itself from class dunce to teacher's pet in terms of efficiency savings, Health and Social Services has now got to the sharp end of the project.
HAVING transformed itself from class dunce to teacher's pet in terms of efficiency savings, Health and Social Services has now got to the sharp end of the project.
By keeping a lid on its budget – effectively standing still – the rising cost of wages and health care has forced out many of the inefficiencies which gave the department a bad name.
However, cutting out duplication and dead wood is one thing; removing services is another.
The stark criterion identified by HSSD is: will cutting this service shorten people's lives? If not, then it is vulnerable.
The example given is cosmetic surgery, which many people will associate with face-lifts, Botox injections and tummy tucks.
Nothing to really worry about there then. The private sector is more than happy to step in and relieve people of their cash.
Of course, it is nothing like as simple. While few people would fight for the rights of those who want to stay looking 35 for the rest of their lives, how would they feel about helping children scarred by a hot iron or born with a disfiguring facial birthmark?
And that is the trouble with health; you are never far from a difficult decision. A service that does not necessarily save someone's life (or stop it being shortened) will not be considered pointless by those using it.
But if HSSD is to find £9m. in savings over the next three years, it cannot shy away from difficult decisions. The Culture and Leisure approach – 'we'll go through the cost-cutting motions but don't expect any results' – simply will not work here.
Instead, managers must have the full support of politicians as they take a hard-nosed view of what services HSSD can afford to dispense with. Anything else will result in a fudge and huge overspends.
It will not be easy. HSSD spends £74m. of its £107m. budget on staff. Cuts in services will save serious cash only if the wage bill is slashed.
If health is willing to undergo such a painful examination, it puts to shame other departments which refuse to contemplate much easier cuts.
