White Oaks alcohol treatment centre on the Derry-Donegal border could help resolve some of the issues surrounding addition treatment if a service agreement with the North were to be put in place, Derry MLA Maeve McLaughlin has said.
Ms. McLaughlin, chairperson of the Stormont Health Committee, said she was to raise the issue with the chief executive of the Health Board as well as both health ministers on both sides of the border.
The Sinn Fein representative said the centre’s “dedicated” detox centre was not operational as it required a “service level agreement” from the North.
Ms McLaughlin said: “The White Oaks treatment centre on the Derry-Donegal border, which contains a dedicated detox centre, helps people stop the consumption of alcohol in a controlled way.
“However, the detox service is not in operation as it requires a service level agreement from the North
“This purpose built facility could resolve some of the issues in relation to an alcohol addiction unit for the North West if a service agreement with the North was agreed.
“At present the unit is not operating to its full capacity while people in Derry are in dire need of a treatment centre so it is logical that we marry up the service in order to maximise the potential of this unit.”
Ms McLaughlin concluded: “I intend to raise the matter with Valerie Watts CEO Health and Social Care Board as well as both Ministers responsible for Health in Ireland so that we can develop services that will enable use to provide help to those suffering from alcohol dependency.”
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