Dickson Warns of Impact of a Zombie Government on the Health Service

East Antrim MLA, Stewart Dickson, has warned of the impacts a zombie government will have on our already failing health service.

Mr Dickson said: “With the cold weather now upon us, the pressure on our emergency care has massively increased. Health professionals are now stating that one in six patients attending A&E are having to wait up to 12 hours or more to be seen.

“Last week, the Department of Health released its winter preparedness plan which focuses on increasing capacity and bed availability in Trusts. However, despite its best efforts, the Department is currently rudderless without a Minister in place.

“From experience, we know that we need a comprehensive approach to tackling waiting lists. This means funding community and acute hospital services as well as managing the front doors of our A&Es. Strategic planning of the Department for Health is the responsibility of the Minister. Not having someone in place to do that role, is detrimental to our entire society”.

Mr Dickson also commented on health staff morale: “We are hearing more and more reports of burn out in the workforce. The people that work in our health service deserve better. That politicking is having adverse effects on their lives – their finances, their families, their mental health – is simply unacceptable.

“We are no longer facing an election in Christmas, but Northern Ireland’s situation will not improve until the DUP stop grandstanding and come back into government, and allow MLAs and Ministers to do the jobs they were elected to do”.