South Down MLA Chris Hazzard (Sinn Féin) has made a blistering attack on Health Minister Jim Wells and Trust senior health officials and management.
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Chris Hazzard MLA has challenged Health Minister Jim Wells and senior health officials during a Stormont debate[/caption]
Mr Hazzard called on them to “get real” as he revealed the extent to which he believed public money is being “mismanaged and squandered” within the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.
During a Health Debate on the current crisis in Health Management, the Mr Hazzard challenged Health Minister Jim Wells to “be a champion of ordinary people” and to hold the “Trusts to account” for their “devastating decisions”.
He added: “Recently we have seen the Downe Hospital bear the brunt of serious mismanagement and a shocking lack of support from health officials, and yet again it faces an attack on services in the teeth of Christmas.
“I have called for all of these proposed cuts to be subject to rigorous Equality Impact Assessments so that we may be able to mitigate their effect on those vulnerable Section75 groups within our community.
“Why should rural communities be negatively affected at the will of the Trust? Why should those nurses who don’t drive now be forced out of work because they cant relocate to the Ulster Hospital? Why should main carers now have to seek alternative employment?
Mr Hazzard added: “The South Eastern Trust’s 2014 Annual Review revealed that 80% of the Trust’s Directors received pay & pension increases this year of nearly £160,000, with the Trust’s top paid Director now receiving more than £200,000 – substantially more than the British Prime Minister & the US President.
“Moreover, the Annual Review reveals staggering amounts of investment being pumped into the Ulster Hospital in Belfast – including a £250million ward extension with quite lavish ensuite bedrooms.
“Perhaps when they seek ways to save money in future they should look closer to home and keep their hands off the Downe Hospital.”
The South Eastern HSC Trust Annual Review can be found at:
http://www.setrust.hscni.net/pdf/Annual_Report_2013_2014.pdf
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