Published: Thursday, 5th February, 2009 12:00pm

Abolish the Comprehensive Spending Review

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Dear Sir, - I write in support of the open letter from Benny Cassidy, Joint Branch Secretary of UNISON (29/1/2008). His plea to MPs, MLAs, Political Parties and Councillors to exempt NI Health Services from cuts imposed by The Comprehensive Spending Review. Benny"s letter is well put and timely.

I would go further by calling for the abolishment of the CSR altogether. It should be consigned to the dustbin along with all the other confidence tricks that have brought the whole of financial services to the present disastrous state. A simpler formula for funding Health Services should be adopted.

We know what the total costs of providing Health Services was last year - indeed, we know what the costs were in 1948 - so why not allocate the known costs, plus a percentage margin for growth in the coming year? A contingency fiscal element, being a proportion of the twenty years underfunding, mentioned by Benny, should be earmarked and included in the total budget for investment purposes. Revenue from this source would be 'ring fenced' for use in developing resources/services for the vulnerable where demand is less easy to predict.

A simplified system - as outlined - would be understood by users and dispense with the widespread belief the Health Services users are constantly being short changed. Health Services staff would be relieved from the oppressive dogma of cuts, savings and efficiencies and money would no longer be wasted in paying performance-related bonuses to penny-pinching service managers and funding expensive external management consultancies.

The virtual collapse of honest and transparent corporate financing presents an opportunity which those to whom Benny Cassidy appeals should seize. The chance will not repeat itself in our lifetime again.

Yours faithfully,

Tony Brady.

Tempo.