The Ministry of Health is about to begin a series of reviews of key services to identify possible savings and ensure value for money.
The plan is revealed in health-sector Budget papers issued by the Treasury.
The ministry says the reviews will look at budgets, contracts and funding to determine whether programmes are consistent with its current approach and the best way of doing things.
The first reviews relate to mental health, child and maternity, public health and emergency services.
Chief finance adviser Mike McCarthy says they will go into more depth than previous reviews.
The Mental Health Foundation is nervous. It's concerned there may be less money available to implement a mental health plan called Blueprint Two, which was recently released.
