Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Saturday 17°CSunday 17°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
HealthNews

Durkan: ‘Lives put on hold due to disgraceful waiting times’

written by John September 10, 2019
ShareTweet

SDLP Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan has slammed recent North of Ireland waiting time statistics as ‘diabolical’ citing a waiting list 100 times bigger than England – despite having a population significantly larger than the North.

The 2019/20 Ministerial target relating to outpatient waiting times stated that by March 2020, at least 50% of patients should wait no longer than nine weeks for a first outpatient appointment, with no patient waiting longer than a year- a target Mr Durkan has deemed ‘wildly unattainable’ given the current juncture.

Said the Foyle MLA: “This is the starkest evidence we have seen – and we see more evidence every day – of the drastic and urgent need for the transformation of our crumbling healthcare system.

“The population of England is 55 million and at the end of June 1,089 people were waiting over a year for a consultant-led outpatient appointment.

“The population of the North of Ireland is 1.8 million and at the end of June, 105,486 people were waiting over a year for a consultant-led outpatient appointment.

“Our waiting lists are 100 times bigger than a country with a population 30 times ours. Where is the outrage from our political leaders? Where is the accountability- the duty of care owed to the electorate?

“Anywhere else in the world, a government would be brought down- and rightly so, for failing to tackle a situation as chronic as this or mitigate such a disaster.

“Yet here, the DUP and Sinn Féin refuse to form a government to even try. They have stood hands in their pockets, eyes averted as our health service implodes.

“The extent of the situation cannot be overstated- we have seen to date, the devastating impact of political negligence which has allowed the wounds of our health service to fester.

“This is a situation that cannot heal without urgent intervention.

“Nor can we overstate the colossal impact this is having on individuals and families whose lives are put on hold as they wait in pain for appointments- only to wait even longer again for an operation.

“This is affecting people’s ability to work, to function fully, to exercise, to socialise and inevitably proves detrimental to people’s mental health as a result.

“These figures are truly staggering and even then I do not believe that they reveal the true extent of how bad the situation actually is; how long patients really have to wait or how that wait impacts on their lives.

“Tory austerity is preventing the action and investment necessary to turn things around, as is the refusal of the DUP and Sinn Féin to reach agreement on the restoration of devolved government,” added Mr Durkan.

Durkan: ‘Lives put on hold due to disgraceful waiting times’ was last modified: September 10th, 2019 by John

Tags:
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHDurkan: 'Lives put on hold due to disgraceful waiting times'FOYLE MLAMark H DurkanNORTH OF IRELANDSDLPTORY AUSTERITY
ShareTweet
John

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

2 hours ago

Funeral of mother and daughter killed in...

6 hours ago

Boyce hat-trick sends Derry City into seventh...

10 hours ago

Dance company loses appeal over 100% annual...

12 hours ago

Unmissable music events coming to the Abbey...

1 day ago

New leaflet to help older people beat...

1 day ago

Man charged with possessing indecent images of...

1 day ago

Loving mother and daughter killed in Donegal...

1 day ago

Positive discussions with Transport Minister on NW...

1 day ago

Sadness as mother of girl (6) killed...

2 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

    July 5, 2025
  • Derry priest faces seven more child sex charges

    July 4, 2025
  • Man charged with possessing indecent images of children

    July 4, 2025
  • Two men in court after £1.2m cannabis find near border

    July 3, 2025
  • Two charged over huge cannabis haul seized in North West

    July 3, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy