SOUTH Down MLA Chris Hazzard has met with the Patient and Client Council (PCC) recently in an effort to highlight various local health issues.
Mr Hazzard took the opportunity to discuss on-going issues such as the relocation of services to the Ulster Hospital – including transport and accessibility issues as a consequence of the relocation – and also the urgent need for increased Mental Health facilities based within the District.
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Chris Hazzard MLA is joined by the PCC’s Joanne McKissick and Deepak Samson on a discussion about South Down health issues.[/caption]
He said: “I want to thank the PCC for meeting with me today in Downpatrick to explore some very important health issues. In the years ahead we are going to see some hugely challenging changes to our local health system so it is vitally important that everything is done to protect local people’s access to world class medical care.
“Following on from my lobbying to the Health Minister Edwin Poots regarding accessibility at the Ulster Hospital site in Dundonald, I was interested to hear that the PCC also share some of my concerns around transport to the hospital and indeed car parking facilities on site.
“I have now written to the Minister to seek clarification and assurances that all is being done by his department in order to tackle this persistent problem of accessibility.
“It is imperative that the Health Trust continues to engage with patients, carers, service-users, families, staff and the wider public to ensure that world-class services and outcomes are available for each and every person in the South Eastern locality,” added Mr Hazzard.
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