South Down MLA Chris Hazzard (Sinn Féin) has met with Valerie Watts, Chief Executive of the Health & Social Care Board in Stormont.
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MLA’s Chris Hazzard (South Down) and Mickey Brady (Down and Armagh) pictured with Valerie Watts, CEO of the Health and Social Care Board, and her staff at Stormont.xa0[/caption]The South Down MLA was joined by the Chairperson of the Stormont Health Committee Maeve McLaughlin and Newry & Mourne MLA Mickey Brady in meeting with Ms Watts and a team of her officials in discussing various health issues including progressing with Transforming Your Care (TYC), Ambulance cover, and the future of the Downe Hospital.
Mr Hazzard said:xa0“I want to thank Ms Watts for taking the time to engage with myself and my colleagues – health issues continue to dominate the political agenda in South Down and Im delighted to have had the opportunity to discuss ambulance cover in particular.
“Ms Watts confirmed that she has been alarmed at the developing situation regarding ambulance cover and will again raise the situation with the Chief Executive of the Ambulance Service as a matter of urgency.
“Unfortunately, a growing list of incidents illustrates that inadequate ambulance cover is a persistent threat to the lives of patients in South Down. I will continue to liaise with both the Health Board and the Ambulance Service to ensure that this is resolved as soon as possible.”
Mr Hazzard added:xa0“This meeting was frank and forthright, but crucially it was also very positive and will hopefully help in addressing gaps in health provision across South Down.”
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