08/02/2017

Concerns Raised Over Plan To Tackle Waiting Lists

Concerns have been raised over the Health Minister's plan to tackle waiting lists for planned treatments, care and diagnostics, due to the lack of an Executive Budget.

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw welcomed Michelle O'Neill's elective care plan, however she said the allocation of funding remains "unclear".

Ms Bradshaw said: "We have heard similar claims before the last election about money being made available to tackle problems in the health sector, finances which did not subsequently appear.

"This is the real result of the DUP and Sinn Féin's arrogance and hubris towards the institutions. Without a return to power-sharing and functioning Executive, this election will come at a great cost to those suffering the most."

The first stage of the plan will require a total of £31.2million funding to clear the backlog of patients waiting over 52 weeks for a first outpatient appointment and inpatient/daycase by March 2018.

(CD/JP)

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