SINN Féin MLA Maeve McLaughlin has called on the Health Minister Simon Hamilton to come before the health committee to explain the details of the proposed changes to the health service.
Yesterday, he announced plans to axe the Health and Social Care Board which employs 470 people and has an annual budget of £27 million within the next two years.
The move has been welcomed by trade unions but said the Minister needed to forge ahead with the plan and not back down in a years time.
Ms McLaughlin, who is chair of the Assembly’s health committee said:
“It is clear that there is a real need for major structural change in our health service and that is something we have been advocating for a number of years.
“Health care workers and trade unions have said there is too much duplication and bureaucracy in the service.
“I welcome the health minister’s intention to bring in major reforms of the service as a way of improving delivery.
“Hopefully this will result in more resources being made available for the delivery of frontline services and improved health outcomes for patients.
“However, we need to see more detail on these proposals so I have now invited the health minister to come before the Assembly’s health committee and explain these proposals in detail.
“Some of these proposals may also require legislative change and we need to examine that.
“Those who work in the health service and trade union should also be consulted on any proposals to change the service.”
