Acute Services Shake-up must not reduce Service Delivery in Craigavon Hospital - Trimble
Monday, July 18th, 2005
Ulster Unionist Upper Bann assembly member, David Trimble, has warned NIO Health Minister Shaun Woodward that Craigavon Area Hospital requires more resources if it is to deal effectively with knock-on effects resulting from the shake up of acute hospital services.In a statement, Mr Trimble said: “The confusion and uncertainty caused by Shaun Woodward’s recent pronouncements on acute service provision in the south west will have repercussions for Craigavon Area Hospital.
“When services were run down at South Tyrone Hospital, Craigavon had to deal with an influx of new patients. The government was willing to divert patients to other hospitals, but not to divert the resources necessary to cope with these extra demands. This situation does not bear repetition.
“Therefore I have written to the Health Minister articulating my concerns and urging him to detail what additional resources, in terms of staff, beds and finance will be made available to Craigavon.”
Mr Trimble added: “Craigavon Area Hospital must receive the support required to continue delivering the best possible service for people in the region. I trust that the Minister will provide the necessary reassurances.”