McNulty seeking 'common sense solutions to health care on an all-island basis'

MLA Justin McNulty has called for an acceleration in cross-border cooperation to address the crisis in health. The Newry and Armagh representative plans to meet with 'decision makers' in Dublin this month.

Mr. McNulty said: “The crisis in our health service is a source of major concern for everyone, but it is a cause of deep distress for patients and their families.

“Every week, people are contacting my offices in a state of despair. Whether it is waiting years for hip and knee replacements, or waiting months for cancer treatment to commence even after urgent referrals, the crisis in health is taking an immense toll on people and families across the North. 

“Current cancer waiting times in the North are the worst on record, and a recent international study puts us at the bottom of the league table for cancer plans and policy.

“An absence of an Executive has meant that no meaningful action can be taken to address the crisis in our health service. Even initiatives like the cross-border health directive, which provided patients in the North with quicker access to surgery in the South, have now been left in limbo."

Mr McNulty added “I will be meeting with decision makers in Dublin this month to lobby for an acceleration in cross-border cooperation. We have seen how successful the partnership between Derry and Donegal has been in improving access to cancer treatment, and we now need to see a robust expansion of this care model to other parts of the North.

“We need to see a dual approach – a restoration of the Executive to immediately address the crisis in health, and a demonstration of political will to provide common sense solutions to health care on an all-island basis.”