SDLP Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan has said that if the North of Ireland does receive additional money as a result of a suggested increase in NHS spending in England, it is imperative that we have functioning local institutions with local decision makers in an Assembly and Executive to make decisions about where the money should be spent, if it is provided.
The Foyle MLA said:
“If Northern Ireland does receive an additional £600 million a year by 2023 as a result of a proposed increase in NHS spending in England, that would of course be welcome.
“We must however question who will ultimately be making the decisions about where and how this money will be spent.
“Our health service is crying out for transformation and any additional money that can be directed towards that transformation, should be.
“The SDLP has long advocated for an overall transformation of the health service. The current situation is not sustainable nor is it acceptable. Only with radical change can we deliver a health service that is fit for purpose.
“We are once again faced with another reason why it is absolutely imperative that Sinn Fein and the DUP stop fighting amongst themselves and put people first.
“Without a Finance Minster or Executive to make decisions about where this money is spent, Civil Servants could be left to direct spending, with no guarantees of it reaching the health service or using it to help with transformation.
“With no Assembly, there is no accountability for this money or these decisions.
“Enough is enough.
“It is time for the political brinkmanship to end. Our people should not be left to wait while the health service is starved of political direction and may lose out on additional resources,” added the former Environment Minister.
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