Westminster candidates have called for significant improvements to the health system in South Down. Both Margaret Ritchie and Chris Hazzard, are demanding better health services in the constituency.
South Down MP Margaret Ritchie and SDLP Westminster candidate has addressed health in the run up to the 7 May election. She said the priority has for the next Parliament should be to support the National Health Service, Nurses and Medical and Health Service provision in South Down.
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Westminster candidates have called for a better deal for local nurses and the health system in South Down.[/caption]Margaret Ritchie said today:xa0“There is an urgent need to protect nurses, midwives, health care assistants and the general health and medical service in Northern Ireland. In that regard, there is a pressing need to protect our local health and medical service in South Down – in particular the need to develop an enhanced local hospital in Downpatrick with the location of a suite of services and also the Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry with an acute stroke unit.
“The NI Executive and a forthcoming new British Government as a matter of priority must improve patient care by ensuring safe staffing levels; giving nurses access to training and listening to the concerns of staff. It is important that any Government values nursing by paying a fair wage; stops the downbanding of nursing experience and invests in nursing so that future generations can aspire to be nurses in our hospitals and in the wider community.
“Furthermore, the NI Executive and a future British Government following the General Election must invest in health and care by guaranteeing no more cuts in the nursing workforce. There must be increased resources for the community and workforce planning must be implemented which reflects the needs of patients.
“I will be standing up for the proper and effective delivery of local health and medical services at both our hospitals in South Down – the Downe and Daisy Hill Hospital and for the staff including nurses who seek to deliver such services” added Ms Ritchie.
Hazzard Questions Reduction In Diabetic Nurses
Sinn Féin MLA Chris Hazzard has written to the Health Minister Jim Wells seeking clarification on why the number of specialist Diabetic Nurses in the Newry & Mourne Area have been cut by 75% in recent months.
Mr Hazzard said:xa0“For many years the Newry & Mourne area set a very high standard for diabetic care as local patients had access to four specialist diabetic nurses. This was vital to meet the needs for diagnosis, treatment and a wide range of connected health issues.
“In recent months these four nurses have been reduced to just 1 nurse for the entire Newry and Mourne area… xa0it is sheer madness. Moreover, the excellent care in the community model has been smashed, leaving local patients having to be admitted to Daisy Hill to be seen.
“This worrying situation is surely at odds with the principles behind enhancing community-based health care.
Mr Hazzard added:xa0“I have asked Minister Wells to set out the rationale behind such a reduction in vital care for local diabetics – I can’t help but think that lives are being put at risk here, so it is vital that the Minister spells out exactly why this has been allowed to happen.”
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