Extra £4 million for health voted for unanimously

Ashford's request granted despite criticism

A request for an extra four million pounds by the health department has been greeted with a warning from an MLC, that change in the way the department management uses its budget is urgently needed.

Jane Poole Wilson said there was evidence the money given to the department could be better spent.

Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper was also critical of the health minister, and asked for more clarification about the budgeting process, but Treasury Minister Alf Cannan stood to defend the work of David Ashford and his senior civil servants.

Despite the criticism from various quarters, the extra money was voted through unanimously.