Single health body is put on hold

Plans to introduce a single regional health authority have been put on hold by minister Michael McGimpsey.

The authority was supposed to replace Northern Ireland's four health boards next April.

In a memo to NHS staff, the health minister said he wanted to give further consideration to the idea of bringing in a single authority next year.

He said there was a clear need to change, but he added it was important to get these changes right.

The minister also pointed out that the authority was not his idea, but a plan he inherited when he took up his post.

Many of the senior management team in the new authority have been appointed already.

Their combined salaries add up to more than £500,000.