Action needed to curb waiting times

Sinn Féin MLA Maeve McLaughlin has called for an action plan from the Health Minister to deal with hospital waiting lists.
Sinn Fein Foyle MLA Maeve McLaughlin.Sinn Fein Foyle MLA Maeve McLaughlin.
Sinn Fein Foyle MLA Maeve McLaughlin.

The Chair of the Assembly’s Health Committee said: “The increase in waiting times for patients is not acceptable.

“The health committee carried out an inquiry into waiting times and a number of recommendations were made, which need to be implemented as a matter of urgency.

“One was to look at the patient’s journey from referral to treatment in its entirety and for set time frames to be introduced and enforced.

“An action plan is now needed from the department and the minister to reduce waiting times.

“As a committee we looked at the Scottish model and they have a unit within their health department specifically to deal with waiting times and perhaps that is something we should be looking at here.

“I will be raising these issues with the Health Minister.”