A new taskforce has been launched to investigate a Northern Ireland health trust’s spending of over £2.35 million on taxis and private transport for patients and service users.
The probe was initiated at the regional level ahead of a Sunday Life report that revealed the scale of the spending, which included journeys such as Cookstown to Antrim and Toome to Ballyclare — all funded by the health service.
The health trust, which has not been officially named in public statements, reportedly used private hire vehicles for a range of non-emergency patient transport needs, raising concerns about value for money, oversight, and the sustainability of such practices.
Officials are now looking into whether the trust’s reliance on taxis and private operators was justified and whether better use could have been made of internal NHS resources.
The investigation will consider the procurement process, reasons behind the high demand for transport services, and whether alternative options were adequately explored.
The rising costs of patient transport across the UK have become a point of contention in recent years. NHS trusts often arrange non-emergency transport for patients with mobility issues, ongoing treatment needs, or lack of access to public transport.
However, repeated use of taxis has raised questions about spending controls and efficiency within the system.
The taskforce is expected to deliver its findings later this year and may recommend new guidelines to improve accountability and reduce costs in future contracts.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said they are committed to ensuring public funds are used responsibly and that all services provide the best possible care to patients while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
The review will also explore whether similar patterns of spending are occurring in other regions across Northern Ireland, with the potential for broader reform depending on the outcome.
