Coronavirus Northern Ireland: SDLP welcomes Health Minister’s action on coronavirus

SDLP Health Spokesperson Sinead Bradley MLA has welcomed further action taken by the Health Minister to supplement the Health Service and ensure plans are in place to manage a surge in cases of coronavirus.

Public Health Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA welcomed news that the testing regime is to be enhanced.

Local MLA Sinead Bradley MLA said, “I welcome the actions detailed by the Health Minister today to further supplement our Health Service, enhance the coronavirus testing regime and ensure that we have additional capacity to deal with a surge in cases.

“The SDLP asked Robin Swann in the Assembly earlier this week to consider redeploying third-year nursing students to help bolster surge capacity.

“I’m pleased that plans are in place to augment our health service over the next 10-14 days with up to an additional 880 senior nursing students and 236 final year medical students available for front line service.

“We continue to be deeply grateful to all those who are preparing to ensure essential services will continue in the weeks ahead and particularly to our health service workers who are putting themselves on the front line of this emergency,” she added.

SDLP Public Health Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA added, “Whilst welcoming today’s announcement I would hope that the Minister will keep all options open.

“The ‘Be on Call for Ireland’ initiative has recruited over 24,000 people in 24 hours and I would have confidence if we can mirror this scheme we can encourage the diaspora and as many people as possible at home to step up and help our healthcare system in our hour of need.

“It’s critical that if we’re to identify those who have contracted coronavirus and need treatment or isolation that we scale up the testing regime.

“I’m glad to hear that the Minister is preparing to enhance capacity fourfold to 800 tests per day and that front line health service staff will benefit.

“This is a deeply distressing time for many. News of the first coronavirus death will heighten anxiety.

“We must remain calm and united in the weeks ahead. Decisions must be taken quickly and implemented immediately.

“We will continue to make constructive contributions to the public health response and the Minister will have our support to tackle this emergency,” the local MLA added.

Keep up to date with all the latest Northern Ireland Coronavirus / Covid-19 news HERE

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=69374

Posted by NewryTimes News on Mar 20 2020. Filed under Coronavirus. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry