NI stroke services revamp consultation WILL continue - despite objections from locals
Six options up for discussion
A consultation on reshaping Northern Ireland stroke services is set to go ahead – despite calls for it to be stopped.
Almost 3,000 people suffer a stroke in the Province every year.
But the Department of Health says current services are too thinly spread, and plans for a shake-up are out for consultation.
New health targets aim to treat 95% of patients in hyperacute units by 2024- that means streamlining services, giving more specialist care.
The consultation includes six options for the units, with Craigavon the nearest for those living in Newry and South Armagh.
But locals have called for it to be scrapped, amid concerns about travel time.
These include Newry man Eddie Curtis (pictured) who fears chances of stroke survival will be reduced if changes takes place.
He told Downtown & Cool FM: “We firmly believe that this is not feasible for this area.
We cannot understand why the six options didn’t include a seventh option having a look at a facility that is serving Newry, south Down, south Armagh and Monaghan.”
In a statement the Department said the questionnaire has been amended for those who do notagree with any of the six options.
A spokesperson said the consultation will continue until August 2 as planned.