Motion on Vital Heart Services unanimously passed at Newry Council
Sinn Féin Councillors Turlough Murphy and Valerie Harte brought a motion on the Paediatric Congenital Cardiac Services to the council floor recently.
They called on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to reassure parents that the future service model will prioritise the needs of their children and further call on the Minister to explore fully an all-island solution.
Councillor Murphy commented after the meeting;
“I am pleased that there were no objections to the motion and everyone was in favour of an all-Ireland solution on the future model for paediatric congenital cardiac services to be explored.
He continued; “It is a traumatic experience for families to be told that their child has a heart defect, but to be further told that the only option for treatment is to get a plane to England adds to that burden. Having a sick child is highly stressful, not just for the child but for the parents and the wider family.
“The option to work with Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Dublin means that children and families would not need to travel by plane and would be within a reasonable distance of their home and family.”
Councillor Harte added;
“I am satisfied that we received cross party support for this motion, the option of a first class all-Ireland service providing necessary treatment and care for children with serious heart problems is a goal that can not be shunned for party political reasons.
“We should never get away from the pertinent fact that we are talking about a unit that saves the lives of our children.”
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