McClure calls formore staff at the Causeway Hospital

Alderman McClure said: “The Minister has gone on the record as saying there are no plans to downgrade services at Coleraine and I welcome this statement.

“However, if the hospital is to maintain a reasonable level of operation then more has to be done to underpin finances.

“I am pleased to learn that a new strategy and action plan to reduce and control the spread of healthcare associated infections has been launched by the Minister. This is something I have called for as a priority.

“There have been too many instances of patients being admitted for treatment and becoming seriously ill because of infections, such as C. Difficle, which have been picked up during their stay.”

Alderman McClure added: “I welcome the fact that C. difficile and MRSA rates have fallen dramatically. This has largely been down to the huge efforts of staff throughout the service who have worked so hard to drive down infection.”