uuptoday.org

UUP candidate for East Belfast Jim Rodgers has said that not enough public service bodies are abiding by the Citizen’s Charter.

The UUP candidate is demanding an investigation into current failings in response times. The Citizen’s Charter was launched by a Conservative government with a view to cutting down response times within public service institutions.

Mr Rodgers said: “Our government agencies are not responding quickly enough to public enquiries – all contact under the Charter should be acknowledged within two days, with a full reply issued within 20 days.

“Correspondences are being ignored and often there is no response whatsoever being sent. This reflects a terrible lack of respect and consideration for the public, as well as bad practice within these institutions.

“There should be a firm commitment from public bodies that they will adhere to the Citizen’s Charter as a clear policy for public practice. Under a devolved Assembly, a review of public service practice must be made a key issue.”

UUP candidate for East Belfast Jim Rodgers has said that an incoming Health Minister to the devolved Assembly must carry out an urgent review of outpatient ambulance services.

Mr Rodgers said: “In particular, we must examine the provision of ambulances for people that either can’t afford or are unable to use taxis to attend outpatient appointments. These ambulances are meant to be ordered through the patient’s GP, but they are increasingly finding that these services are completely booked out already when requested – meaning that the patient has no way of attending their long awaited hospital appointments, which are often critical to their health.

“The devolved Assembly must consider this issue. There is a long enough wait for hospital appointments in the province and these critical appointment times are just being wasted due to under-funding of ambulance services.

“It is just shocking that the government hasn’t provided enough funding to the ambulance services to look after those who are most in need in our society. This is a situation that demands urgent attention in a newly restored Assembly.”

Ulster Unionist East Belfast councillor, and former Lord Mayor of Belfast, Jim Rodgers, has warmly welcomed plans that will see around 100 new social housing units built in the heart of East Belfast.

Mr Rodgers learned of the decision during a meeting with the Housing Executive yesterday. Local Presbyterian Ministers, Rev Colin Hall-Thompson and Rev Colin Berkcombe, and Mersey Street Presbyterian Church youth leader John McCandless, completed the deputation which met with officials.

In a statement, Mr Rodgers said: “Alongside a number of partners, I have been campaigning strongly for social housing redevelopment in the Mersey Street area of East Belfast for the past three years.

“There were major question marks over the proportion of social housing to be delivered and the impact of the airport safety zone proposals. Thankfully both these issues have now been successfully resolved.

“Initially development was to be a mix of 80% social and 20% private housing. But I am pleased to say that final plans provide for around 100 new units – all of which will be earmarked for the social housing sector.

“When David Cairns rolled out his airport safety zones consultation earlier this month there were fears that the Mersey Street development would not go ahead. The fact that these plans are unaffected by Mr Cairns’s proposals is welcome and is a massive boost for the local community.

“In this part of inner city East Belfast, waiting lists for housing are among the highest in the whole of Northern Ireland. This is a community which suffers high levels of social deprivation and severe housing stress. Therefore news that work will begin on this development in the next financial year is to be greatly welcomed.”