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The direst warning yet from our Health Minister this morning. Edwin Poots has told the Nolan show that the health budget is facing massive financial pressures. And he's spelt out the consequences if the executive doesn't step in and help.

Below is the statement from the Department of Health...

Health Minister Edwin Poots said: 鈥淚n the three years from 2011/12 to 2013/14, my Department and the HSC have delivered significant savings totalling 拢490m as set out in the published savings delivery plans.听 In 2014/15, the estimated level of savings is around 拢173m.听 Over the four year period of the Budget 2010, the total savings will therefore be in the order of 拢665m. It is increasingly difficult to see however, how the HSC can deliver an appropriate level of service to the public within the allocated resources during 2014-15 and 2015-16.听 Indeed, the scale of the financial challenge facing the health and social care system in 2014/15 鈥� even before any budget cuts 鈥� would indicate that the Executive will either have to provide significant additional resources to DHSSPS or choose to make a number of material changes in fundamental policy in respect of HSC services.

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鈥淚f sufficient funds cannot be made available, the implications of this increasingly challenging financial scenario will mean:

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路听听听听听听 Waiting times for elective services will deteriorate very radically;

路听听听听听听听 The safety and quality of services provided to patients and clients may be compromised;

路听听听听听听听 Ineffective response to the needs of the population in Northern Ireland;

路听听听听听听听 Compromising the delivery of statutory requirements, Programme of Government commitments and key Ministerial priorities and commitments;听 and

路听听听听听听听 A growing parity gap between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK by not funding all demand led pressures such as access to new drugs for cancer and other critical illnesses, specialist hospital services, resettlements etc.

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鈥淭he prospect of a budget reduction of some 拢68m to address central pressures is therefore simply untenable, as this will directly manifest itself in a reduced level of services provided to patients and clients and would mean that the population of Northern Ireland will not be able to access the same level of health and social care compared to the rest of the UK.听 Indeed, every 拢10m of funding taken from the HSC would mean cuts to key front line service delivery 鈥� for example, 250 nurses jobs lost or 1,450 fewer hip procedures or 280,000 fewer GP consultations.

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鈥淚n light of all these factors, I would reiterate my view that I have previously shared with Executive Colleagues 鈥� that the protection of health and social care should be seen by all Ministers as essential, as failing to provide that protection would imply a significant change of policy.鈥� 听

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22-year-old, Paul Monaghan, tragically took his own life. Now in a very brave step his father has spoken to the Nolan Show. Ian Monaghan wants to send a message to people living in Northern Ireland. He says if you feel like ending your life, don't do it. As a father he wants to reveal the devastation that is left behind. He speaks to Stephen along with Dr Philip McGarry, the former chairman of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland.听
If you or someone you know is in distress or despair, You can call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.听
You can also call the Samaritans on 08457 909090 any time day or night.