Jul 10
2
Fermanagh losing out in cross border health battle
Erne Hospital in Enniskillen
SDLP health spokesperson Tommy Gallagher has questioned why both health ministers, north and south of the border, have refused to further a report on strengthening cross border health provision.
Mr Gallagher was speaking after Michael McGimpsey and Mary Harney refused to progress a report by Cooperation and Working Together (CAWT) that called for closer cross-border health services. The ministers have also refused to place the report in the public domain.
Mr Gallagher said: “Particularly for people living in rural constituencies like Fermanagh and South Tyrone, this report could have provided tangible improvements to their quality of health service.
“With the new Erne Hospital due to open in Enniskillen in 2012, people there have the right to ask about the benefits of cross-border health cooperation. I am simply relaying that to the ministers.
“For instance, out of hours service -which is being stretched at the minute- and the satellite cancer service at Altnagelvin are two areas that could potentially benefit from strengthened cross-border health provision.
“I think the public has a right to know what is in the report and how the ministers came to their decision. People in border areas need proper accessibility to hospitals and health services. This can be best delivered on an all-Ireland basis.
“Poor health has no respect for borders.”
