Write a commentFrancis Gallagher - Chairperson of the Daisy Hill Hospital Action group - said the British and Irish governments need to show more leadership in addressing the health care crisis that is unfolding in the Newry Mourne Down Armagh areas and throughout the province.
Mr Gallagher said the Stormont institutions as they stand are not accountable to the people in the provision of health care. He cited the lack of engagement from the Department of Health to the large hospital rallies in Downpatrick and Newry as evidence of this "Hospital campaigners presented compelling clinical and health economics arguments for the retention of the Stroke Unit at Daisy Hill but the Department continued on its path regardless making no serious attempt to engage with campaigners."
"For those people who are going to vote, I would suggest they ask their chosen candidates to campaign for the reform of the Stormont Institutions. Without this commitment, promises before an election could turn out to be very hollow if there is no effective mechanism to hold a future Minister for Health to account. Without these accountability mechanisms - a future Health Minister could say this is my Bailiwick and I'll do as I please."
"The lack of vision from the British and Irish governments has allowed the Institutions at Stormont to stagnate and the product of this is a health service where people are loosing their lives in circumstances that would not be allowed to happen in other more progressive health services."
"The best way forward for health care would be within a New Ireland Confederal system of government but until consensus is achieved for this from the whole community, then we need to look at how we can provide the best possible public services until such agreement is achieved. Progress can be made in creating a better health care system if the two governments foster confidence within the whole community by providing a lead. Self confidence is the key"
