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12/02/2014
H&S Review Into A&E Services At The Royal Hospital Is Not Sufficient - SDLP
SDLP Health Spokesperson Fearghal McKinney MLA has said a Health Service review into accident and emergency services at the Royal Hospital is not sufficient.
His comments come after it was revealed that up to five people may have died as a result of accident and emergency pressure at the Royal last year.
Mr McKinney has challenged the Minister over the contrast between this latest information and how the Minister had characterised the Major Incident at the Royal on January the 8th.
He said: "The Minister initially said that this was a one off but now we know that in fact pressures had been building for months.
"Now the authorities are blaming a doctor shortage. However, when it came to the closure of A&E services at the Downe hospital at evenings and weekends, the Minister said that it came as news to him that safety was compromised by such a shortage.
"It is clear that the authorities are being less than transparent. This information has only come to light as a result of political and media pressure."
His comments come after it was revealed that up to five people may have died as a result of accident and emergency pressure at the Royal last year.
Mr McKinney has challenged the Minister over the contrast between this latest information and how the Minister had characterised the Major Incident at the Royal on January the 8th.
He said: "The Minister initially said that this was a one off but now we know that in fact pressures had been building for months.
"Now the authorities are blaming a doctor shortage. However, when it came to the closure of A&E services at the Downe hospital at evenings and weekends, the Minister said that it came as news to him that safety was compromised by such a shortage.
"It is clear that the authorities are being less than transparent. This information has only come to light as a result of political and media pressure."
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
