Dickson comments on report into procurement malpractice in Northern Health Trust

Alliance East Antrim MLA, Stewart Dickson, has said that the Health Minister must implement all the recommendations in a report into malpractice in the procurement and management of building maintenance in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. Information was first received from whistle-blowers in February 2012. The total value of work that has not been subject to appropriate control or procurement is estimated as £5.7million over the past 14 years.

Stewart Dickson MLA: “Any malpractice or mismanagement of such large sums of money is completely unacceptable. As the pressure on resources increases, we cannot have any circumstances where money is being wasted. It is vitally important that all Departments ensure that they get value for money for every pound they spend.

“The Health Minister has indicated that his Department and the Northern Trust have already begun work based on this report, however it is important that all 72 recommendations are fully implemented to prevent any future malpractice.

“I would like to pay tribute to the whistle-blowers whose information led to this investigation. Providing information in these circumstances is not an easy task, but it is the right thing to do. We have had a number of important whistle-blowing cases in recent years, and I would urge Ministers to ensure that there are protections in place to encourage others to come forward.”

ENDS