Menu
29/04/2019
Patients Coming To Harm In Health Service Crisis- UUP
A UUP MLA has condemned the "deteriorating situation" facing local healthcare in Northern Ireland, saying that patients are coming to harm as a result of long waits for treatment.
Health Spokesperson Roy Beggs said it is medically accepted that the longer people wait for treatment, the greater harm they may ultimately come to. He condemned the current state of medical provision and recent budget cuts for the region.
"The number of people who are waiting far longer than is medically safe has now grown to an unprecedented and terrifying level," the east Antrim MLA said. "The tragic reality is we have now crossed the point beyond which people will be coming to avoidable harm as a result of the delays they are facing.
"It is outrageous that so many people are being forced to wait so long for treatment. Even after the maximum waiting time target was cruelly increased last year from 18 weeks to 52 weeks, there is no way the situation can be considered anything other than an unprecedented crisis. The fact that the number of people waiting longer than 52 weeks for their appointment with a consultant has more than doubled from 30,000 to 64,000 over the last twelve months, illustrates just how quickly the situation is deteriorating.
"Many of the £70m worth of cuts announced by the local Health and Social Care Trusts last week will directly exacerbate these already awful performance times."
Mr Beggs also criticised Sinn Fein for stalling progress by "putting more value on an Irish Language Act than a safe local health service".
He said: "Michelle O'Neill, as a former Health Minister, will know exactly the impact the current impasse is having on patients. The fact she and her party are continuing to do nothing to help resolve it tells us a lot about their lack of priority for the health of local patients. A Health minister needs to be in place now to take decisive action to protect patients."
(JG/CM)
Health Spokesperson Roy Beggs said it is medically accepted that the longer people wait for treatment, the greater harm they may ultimately come to. He condemned the current state of medical provision and recent budget cuts for the region.
"The number of people who are waiting far longer than is medically safe has now grown to an unprecedented and terrifying level," the east Antrim MLA said. "The tragic reality is we have now crossed the point beyond which people will be coming to avoidable harm as a result of the delays they are facing.
"It is outrageous that so many people are being forced to wait so long for treatment. Even after the maximum waiting time target was cruelly increased last year from 18 weeks to 52 weeks, there is no way the situation can be considered anything other than an unprecedented crisis. The fact that the number of people waiting longer than 52 weeks for their appointment with a consultant has more than doubled from 30,000 to 64,000 over the last twelve months, illustrates just how quickly the situation is deteriorating.
"Many of the £70m worth of cuts announced by the local Health and Social Care Trusts last week will directly exacerbate these already awful performance times."
Mr Beggs also criticised Sinn Fein for stalling progress by "putting more value on an Irish Language Act than a safe local health service".
He said: "Michelle O'Neill, as a former Health Minister, will know exactly the impact the current impasse is having on patients. The fact she and her party are continuing to do nothing to help resolve it tells us a lot about their lack of priority for the health of local patients. A Health minister needs to be in place now to take decisive action to protect patients."
(JG/CM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 September 2021
£8.7m Boost For Mental Health Services
Charitable and community mental health services are set to benefit from a new £8.7 million support grant, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced.
£8.7m Boost For Mental Health Services
Charitable and community mental health services are set to benefit from a new £8.7 million support grant, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced.
25 October 2024
Health Minister Unveils New Initiative To Tackle Health Inequalities
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the launch of Live Better, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing health inequalities in Northern Ireland. The program will initially focus on neighbourhoods in Belfast and L'Derry, with plans to expand to other communities if successful.
Health Minister Unveils New Initiative To Tackle Health Inequalities
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the launch of Live Better, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing health inequalities in Northern Ireland. The program will initially focus on neighbourhoods in Belfast and L'Derry, with plans to expand to other communities if successful.
26 September 2024
PHA Makes Accessing Contraception Easier On World Contraception Day
In recognition of World Contraception Day, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the importance of informed choices in sexual and reproductive health. They're reminding residents of Northern Ireland about the various resources available to easily access contraception and learn about different methods.
PHA Makes Accessing Contraception Easier On World Contraception Day
In recognition of World Contraception Day, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the importance of informed choices in sexual and reproductive health. They're reminding residents of Northern Ireland about the various resources available to easily access contraception and learn about different methods.
21 July 2022
Health Minister Praises Work Of New Ballymena Youth Facility
Health Minister Robin Swann has praised the work of a newly launched youth facility in Ballymena providing information and support that young people need to navigate the challenges of adolescence and early adulthood.
Health Minister Praises Work Of New Ballymena Youth Facility
Health Minister Robin Swann has praised the work of a newly launched youth facility in Ballymena providing information and support that young people need to navigate the challenges of adolescence and early adulthood.
29 June 2022
Mental Health Service Waiting Times 'Deeply Concerning'
Sinn Féin have said that the number of children and young people waiting on referrals for mental health services is "deeply concerning". The party's spokesperson for Mental Health, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, was speaking after figures showed that 557 young people are waiting for a referral in the Belfast Trust, while two Trusts did not have records.
Mental Health Service Waiting Times 'Deeply Concerning'
Sinn Féin have said that the number of children and young people waiting on referrals for mental health services is "deeply concerning". The party's spokesperson for Mental Health, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, was speaking after figures showed that 557 young people are waiting for a referral in the Belfast Trust, while two Trusts did not have records.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
