Ruane Presses Poots Over Downe Staffing

SINN Féin MLA Caitriona Ruane has pressed the Minister of Health Edwin Poots to ensure that there is an adequate staffing level in the Downe hospital and Daisy Hill hospital to maintain a full level of service to the public. Ms Ruane said, “I am concerned that the two major hospitals servicing the South Down area are unable to work to their full capacity due to a lack of fully trained and experienced personnel. “I have asked the Minister of Health Edwin Poots to look at the situation and I am happy that the Department is exploring avenues in order to alleviate any difficulties in attracting first class medical staff to the area. “It is important that any impediment which inhibits the ability of medical staff from other countries coming to work in this area are lifted as this one way of addressing the deficit in experienced medical staff. “I will also be raising the issue with the local Trust whose responsibility it is to recruit and maintain the proper level of staffing with a view to exploring other methods in attracting the specialist practitioners that are needed to give the people of South Down the first class medical service they deserve,” she added. ]]>