DUP’s ‘Ten Minute Ministers’ criticised
SDLP MP for South Down, Margaret Ritchie, has questioned the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, on discussions that he has held with other Health Ministers regarding the changes to junior doctors’ contracts and criticised the DUP’s ‘Ten Minute Ministers’ policy in relation to these proposed changes.
tSpeaking to Newry Times, Ritchie said, “The proposed changes to junior doctors’ contracts have raised serious concerns about patient care and the safety of doctors.
“Junior doctors play a vital role in our increasingly pressurised and strained health service and to subject them to further stress puts them, and the patients they care for, at risk,” she insisted.
“The Secretary of State made no indication that he has held discussions with Simon Hamilton. This is further evidence of the damage that the DUP’s ’Ten Minute Ministers’ policy is inflicting on our health service.
“At a time when Simon Hamilton should be making the case for Northern Ireland’s junior doctors, he is in breach of his ministerial duties. ”
Ritchie added, “I will be pursuing this matter with the Health Secretary and would again urge the DUP to reconsider their policy and the detrimental impact that it is having on patients and health staff across Northern Ireland.”
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