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23/01/2002
Stormont Health Minister hits back at critics
Health, Social Services and Public Safety Minister, Bairbre de Brún has mounted a strong defence of hospitals and other health service facilities in the Assembly.
Responding to a motion put down by Rev Dr Ian Paisley and others calling for the minister to address the crisis in Northern Ireland’s hospitals, the Minister hit back at her critics and emphasised the benefits her department had brought since entering office.
“The facts are, that since I took office, our hospitals have 33 more intensive care and high dependency beds; more nurses are entering training, more people are receiving community care than ever before – with a further 1,000 extra community care packages in the coming year alone; and 100 new ambulances are on our roads,” Ms de Brún said.
“We continue to make real progress in improving the quality and effectiveness of services. And our planning to streamline our systems and improve collaborative working continues to pay dividends, particularly at times of intense pressure.”
The Minister also praised the recent efforts of staff during the recent stomach bug outbreak crisis which had many hospitals working below par.
However, whilst acknowledging recent pressures on services, the Minister pointed out: “Much of the pressure that pervades our hospital services has its roots in a lack of investment over many years.”
Ms de Brún added: “There is no way around the present lack of capacity other than returning that capacity to the service. I consider a properly resourced service an absolute priority.” (AMcE)
Responding to a motion put down by Rev Dr Ian Paisley and others calling for the minister to address the crisis in Northern Ireland’s hospitals, the Minister hit back at her critics and emphasised the benefits her department had brought since entering office.
“The facts are, that since I took office, our hospitals have 33 more intensive care and high dependency beds; more nurses are entering training, more people are receiving community care than ever before – with a further 1,000 extra community care packages in the coming year alone; and 100 new ambulances are on our roads,” Ms de Brún said.
“We continue to make real progress in improving the quality and effectiveness of services. And our planning to streamline our systems and improve collaborative working continues to pay dividends, particularly at times of intense pressure.”
The Minister also praised the recent efforts of staff during the recent stomach bug outbreak crisis which had many hospitals working below par.
However, whilst acknowledging recent pressures on services, the Minister pointed out: “Much of the pressure that pervades our hospital services has its roots in a lack of investment over many years.”
Ms de Brún added: “There is no way around the present lack of capacity other than returning that capacity to the service. I consider a properly resourced service an absolute priority.” (AMcE)
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