Write a comment
In the event of the reinstatement of the Stormont Executive Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has called for Sinn Féin to commit to taking on the Health Ministry in any incoming Executive.
Mr. McNulty was speaking in the wake of mass consultant resignations and further service collapses at Daisy Hill Hospital.
The SDLP MLA said: “the crisis at Daisy Hill has reached terrifying heights. With services collapsing and mass resignations amongst consultant staff, people are quite rightly furious at the Southern Trust for their disgraceful neglect of our hospital.
“All that matters to our community is that Daisy Hill Hospital and its unique contribution to the health and wellbeing of generations of local people is safeguarded and retained. This is an issue that transcends political rivalries. There is no value in scoring debating points on what should be done. All that matters is that those with their hands on the levers of power are willing and committed to protecting our people, irrespective of creed, gender or political identity.
“Nothing, absolutely nothing is worth losing lives at the expense of political expediency. I am therefore placing on public record my call for Sinn Fein in any recalled Assembly to take up the huge challenge of the health portfolio. Nothing else matters in the context of Daisy Hill Hospital.
“We have been fighting the Trust tooth and nail to oppose their attacks on Daisy Hill. We have mobilised the community in defence of Daisy Hill – we’ve rallied tens of thousands of people in opposition to the Trust’s plans and we have taken to the streets. How the Trust can continue to ignore the people is totally unfathomable.
“Sinn Féin are on the record stating their support for Daisy Hill Hospital. I want to take them at their word that they mean it. There is a time and a place for party politics, but this isn’t it. I don’t care who gets the credit for saving Daisy Hill, as long as our hospital is saved.
“I am calling on Sinn Féin to publicly commit to grabbing the Health Ministry with both hands in an incoming Executive, honour the commitments they have made in public, and ensure that Daisy Hill is protected for future generations.”
