Swann issues fresh ‘Dal’ challenge to Wells

Mr Robin Swann MLA, the North Antrim Ulster Unionist Westminster candidate and Chairman of the Stormont Employment and Learning Committee, has called on DUP Health Minister Jim Wells “to ensure transparency over admissions to Dalriada Hospital in Ballycastle”.

By Claire Cartmill

Published 9th Dec 2014, 11:28 BST

Assemblyman Swann, who is also North Antrim UUP Chairman and UUP Chief Whip, issued his fresh challenge to Minister Wells after the Dalriada won a temporary reprieve after a judge ruled it must continue to accept new patients. Mr Swann’s latest challenge came in a formal question to the Minister.

Mr Swann has asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, to ensure transparency and compliance with Judge Tracey’s ruling, and that the Minister direct the Northern Trust to publish and place in the Library of the Northern Ireland Assembly, on a weekly basis, the number of patients admitted and discharged, from the units previously announced for closure in the Dalriada Hospital?

Mr Swann added: “This is a no-punches-pulled question to Minister Wells to ensure we can completely monitor the situation at the Dalriada to make sure there are no bed closures via the back door.”

Jim Wells