Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan slams latest waiting time figures
Figures released reveal that over 17,000 people waited in A&E departments across the North in the past year – that was 10,000 more than the previous year.
Almost 800,000 people sought treatment in an A&E in the 2017/18 financial year with 68% of those attending a “type 1” facility – which handles the most severe cases – seen within the four hour target time.
That was a slight drop of 1.5% compared to the previous year and a drop of almost 5% compared to 2013/14.
Mr Durkan said his party has been calling for a “overall transformation” of the health service in the North.
Said the Foy
“Unfortunately, every time we receive a copy of the latest waiting times for different services across the Health Service, it is no longer a shock when they have deteriorated,” he said.
“Despite the dedication of hard working staff, working round the clock, our Health Service is continuing to be starved of political and strategic direction and this is impacting on the frontline.
“The situation is simply unsustainable.
“The SDLP has long called for and supported an overall transformation of our Health Service and that is what is required to begin to really tackle the issues at the core,” he added.
The Health and Social Care Board blamed a challenging year with more older and sicker people attending than in the past.
It said transformation of the health care system was the “only long-term sustainable answer”.
“This is simply not acceptable and the service is taking steps to ensure improvements are put in place,” a spokeswoman said.
