Dobson praises Southern Trust health chiefs

Ulster Unionist MLA Jo-Anne Dobson has met with the outgoing Chief Executive of the Southern Trust Mairead McAlinden and her interim replacement Paula Clarke.
Ulster Unionist MLA Jo-Anne Dobson meeting with outgoing Southern Trust Chief Executive Mairead McAlinden, also included interim Chief Executive Paula Clarke, Mrs Angela McVeigh, Director of Older People and Primary Care Services and Mrs Deborah Burns, Director of Acute Services.Ulster Unionist MLA Jo-Anne Dobson meeting with outgoing Southern Trust Chief Executive Mairead McAlinden, also included interim Chief Executive Paula Clarke, Mrs Angela McVeigh, Director of Older People and Primary Care Services and Mrs Deborah Burns, Director of Acute Services.
Ulster Unionist MLA Jo-Anne Dobson meeting with outgoing Southern Trust Chief Executive Mairead McAlinden, also included interim Chief Executive Paula Clarke, Mrs Angela McVeigh, Director of Older People and Primary Care Services and Mrs Deborah Burns, Director of Acute Services.

Commenting following the meeting which took place at Craigavon Area Hospital Mrs Dobson said: “I have had the privilege of working alongside Mairead and her team as an elected representative and have nothing but respect for her in her time as Chief Executive.

“Often, if not always, going beyond the call of duty Mairead was always available, irrespective of the hour of the day. For that dedication and on behalf of the families and patients who I have contacted her as an elected representative, I am truly grateful for the professional way in which she and her staff handled each and every issue.

“I wish Mairead well for the future in her new role and look forward to working with her interim replacement Paula Clarke and her management team as they look to the future of healthcare in this local area.

“At our meeting we discussed the challenges facing healthcare in this region, not least at Craigavon Area Hospital. As a member of the Health Committee I will be taking many of these challenges back to raise at Committee and with the appropriate Directors in the Department of Health and indeed with Minister Wells.”

Mrs McAliden has been appointed Chief Executive of the South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.