Ulster Unionist Health spokesperson Roy Beggs MLA has praised the whistleblower who highlighted the irregularity in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) Estates Management procurement, and expressed his disappointment that Health management appear not to have learned from procurement failings elsewhere and from training provided.
Mr Beggs, a former vice chair of the Public Accounts Committee said;
“Firstly we must thank the whistle blower who has highlighted the irregularity in the NHSCT Estates Management procurement process, leading to today’s statement to the Assembly by the Health Minister. Without them, the breach of procurement regulations and poor record keeping and questionable use of public money may have continued for many more years.
“Whistleblowers have an important role to play when there are management failings. They must be valued and protected.
“It is disappointing that following the high profile NI Audit Office report into procurement failings of NI Water of December 2010 and failings in the NI Fire and Rescue Service procurement, that lessons still have not been learnt.
“The question also arises as to why the lessons from the DHSSPS “Intelligent Procurement Conference – Lessons and Pitfalls” conference of April 2011, were not adopted by management?
“The Northern Health & Social Care Trust is under extreme pressures and management must ensure that value for money is obtained from every pound. Patients deserve no less. The question remains, just who will be held accountable for the £5.7m of procurement without appropriate controls over the past 14 years? ”