South Down MP Margaret Ritchie is calling for a reduction in the waiting times for patients seeking medical attention following revelations from local constituents about their personal circumstances.
Ms Ritchie said: “This crisis has further been brought to my attention through representations on behalf of constituents. The crisis in the health system in terms of waiting lists is now urgent even for routine appointments right across Northern Ireland.
“In the South Eastern HSC Trust, waiting times for urgent general surgery are 52 weeks. I understand this is due to the increase in demand for colorectal surgery which naturally takes precedence.
“Nevertheless, it is crucial that urgent general surgery procedures are undertaken without delay to alleviate the pain, discomfort and serious medical conditions patients are experiencing. Urgent general surgery procedures such as hernia or gall bladder removal should not be subject to such extreme waiting times.
“Within the South Eastern HSC Trust the current waiting time for routine Ophthalmology patients is 72 weeks for routine referrals and 96 weeks for routine neurology services. Again, this is entirely unacceptable and causing many patients significant discomfort, concern and undue worry as their symptoms for various illnesses intensify during the waiting period.
“Alarmingly, a case has been brought to my attention within the Belfast Trust where urgent surgery was cancelled days before it was due to take place due to a lack of funding. This is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue.
“Let me be clear on this. Responsibility for this crisis lies directly at the desk of the Health Minister. The lack of investment in elective surgery over the past number of years has in part caused this problem.
“The Minister needs to urgently intervene and provide a substantial injection of cash to allow the health service to cope with the demands of the waiting lists and address the concerns and needs of a significant number of patients requiring urgent treatment.
“I have made urgent representations directly to the Health Minister urging her to take immediate action to address the needs of seriously ill people across the region, including South Down, who are facing intolerable and horrendous delays for necessary surgical procedures and treatments.
“The crisis facing our health service is another catastrophic failure of the DUP/Sinn Fein carve of up on institutions which is not working and not delivering for the people of Northern Ireland,” added Ms Ritchie.
