Fresh calls for political leadership in NI as NHS marks 75th birthday
The health service in Northern Ireland faces a long list of problems
Today marks the 75th anniversary of the NHS.
As events are held across the UK to mark the occasion local health leaders are using the spotlight to call for the return of Stormont.
It comes as the health service in Northern Ireland faces a long list of problems, including spiralling hospital waiting lists, increasing demand, the impact of the covid pandemic, and significant workforce pressures.
Speaking on behalf of Chairs, Chief Executives, and Directors across the HSC, Michael Bloomfield, the Chair of the Northern Ireland Confederation for Health and Social Care told Downtown/ Cool FM “ If you’re a patient who’s waiting a very long time for treatment you may not share in those celebrations.”
“For members of staff who are working shift after shift in difficult circumstances, for them it might seem a difficult thing to celebrate. But without a doubt we only have a health service because of the professionalism and the commitment of our staff.”
He continued, “ We do need that political leadership. We’ve been without it for far too long, and that’s needed to help us to make the decisions as health leaders, and take the actions that we know are needed to improve our health and social care services and make them sustainable into the future.”
Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation has outlined some key steps to help move forward.
These include resolving the governance gap in Northern Ireland, prioritising health and social care and wellbeing in government policy, and supporting healthier lifestyles.
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