SDLP Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA has described news that a new bowel cancer screening test cannot be used in Northern Ireland because of the collapse of the institutions as a disgraceful state of affairs.
He said: “The collapse of the institutions has had a clear and negative impact on our health service. At a time when we should be implementing a transformation plan, the service has been starved of strategic and political direction.
“That paralysis is resulting in longer waiting times, poorer patient outcomes and will lead to people getting sicker.
“Now some of our most vulnerable patients – those with suspected cancer – will have to wait for a new, more accurate, screening test. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical to beating bowel cancer.
“Delaying the implementation of advanced screening techniques will lead to people dying earlier, there are no two ways about it.
“It is a disgrace that the vacuum at Stormont, caused by a failure of politics, is putting lives at risk. People will not understand that. We should not stand for it.
“Action is urgently needed to restore powersharing and support our health service,” added the Foyle MLA.
