Hazzard Calls For Poots To Halt Plans For Shared Services System For Health Trusts

SOUTH Down MLA xa0Chris Hazzard (Sinn Féin)xa0has called on the Health Minister Edwin Poots to postpone plans to roll-out the controversial new Human Resources, Payroll, Travel and Subsistence (HRPTS) IT system in the coming weeks.

The South Down assemblyman said he is “concerned” that South Eastern Trust staff are going to suffer the failings of this new centralised service at the most financially difficult time of year. “Given the very serious problems that have been identified with HRPTS in other Trusts to date, I am dismayed that the Health Minister is pushing ahead with these plans for South Eastern staff in the upcoming weeks given the experiences of staff in the Southern and Belfast Trusts. “We have seen considerable problems relating to staff pay including incorrect tax code identification, non-payment, and indeed many observers are suggesting there could be adverse impacts on staff’s pension plans.” Mr Hazzard added:xa0“In light of the advice from Inland Revenue, that this roll-out should be introduced at the beginning of a financial year, I have asked the Minister to take stock of the difficulties in other Trust Areas and come back with an improved Pay-Roll system in the New Year.”]]>