Moyle to write to Poots over cardiac treatment

MOYLE District Council has agreed to send a letter to Health Minister Edwin Poots calling for an all-Ireland approach to the retention of paediatric heart surgery at The Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

Glens Sinn Fein councillor Colum Thompson spoke after the meeting saying: “I would like to thank my Council colleagues for giving this motion their support. To even contemplate the removal of paediatric heart surgery at The Royal would be wrong.

“Instead of sending patients to England for surgery, placing additional strain on the health budget while causing undue stress to families and patients who have to travel, the Minister should be examining the option of a first class all Ireland service, providing the necessary care and treatment for children with serious heart problems.

“This could ensure the long term future of this service in Belfast. In the meantime families need to be reassured that their loved ones will get the treatment they are entitled to without having to undergo the added stress and expense of traveling to England.”