Bradley ‘viligant’ about Daisy Hill Hospital proposals
SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh, Dominic Bradley, has said that in light of the possible downgrade of Daisy Hill Hospital that he will seek to learn more about the actual out-workings of the proposals contained in the Health and Social Care Review.
Speaking to Newry Times he said, “At this stage the lack of concrete detail as to how the changes will be implemented and the questions around the implications for our local health services lead me to remain vigilant about the out-workings of these proposals. A lot of the recommendations are aspirational and non-specific and consequently throw up more questions than answers. Whilst the SDLP can agree with the sentiment of many of its recommendations, we very much welcome the move towards more community-based care and hope that the transitional funding identified as necessary to make these changes is forthcoming along with all the necessary supports.”
However Bradley also displayed concerns, stating, “It is vitally important that no vacuums are created as emphasis is shifted from secondary and clinical care to a primary and social model. Given the enhanced role identified for community pharmacies in delivering this model, however, we still remain unclear as to whether it will be matched with enhanced funding as pharmacies are currently operating on reduced budgets and are playing less of a role in healthcare delivery than what they would like to or are capable of doing.”
He concluded, ‘I am alarmed at the Minister’s reluctance to give assurances to staff right across the sector. These committed and caring professionals need clarity at a time when the morale within the health service is very low.”
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