'CUTBACKS ARE COSTING LIVES'

THE family of a Glengormley man who died in Antrim Area Hospital last month have slammed the budget cuts which have left local hospitals bereft of basic resources and healthcare staff stretched to the absolute limit.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Feb 2010, 13:04 BST
Updated 10th Feb 2010, 10:00 BST

Desmond Eccles, who was a diabetic and suffered from sarcoidosis, passed away less than half an hour after being admitted to Antrim Area Hospital on January 6. Two days earlier he had been taken by ambulance to Antrim suffering from severe stomach pains. But after 12 hours waiting on a trolley, with just a thin blanket to cover him and no pillow, he was transferred to Whiteabbey Hospital with a suspected virus.

The 68-year-old retired university lecturer was later rushed back to Antrim Area Hospital where, despite the best efforts of the medical team, he died from heart failure.

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Disgusted by the circumstances surrounding his death, Mr Eccles' widow Helen and son Chris this week hit out over the cutbacks which have left staff at Antrim and Whiteabbey Hospitals struggling to cope.

They voiced their concerns about the ailing healthcare system just days after Health Minister Michael McGimpsey warned of "severe consequences for vital health and social care services" if he is forced to make a further 113 million in "efficiency savings" during the next financial year.

Read the full story in this week's Times...