Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann has criticised the Health Minister for failing to come to the Assembly to explain why some children are having to wait up to 44 weeks to see a paediatric cardiologist. 

The North Antrim MLA said: 

“I was shocked to see that some children are being forced to wait up to 44 weeks for a routine appointment with a heart consultant. On Tuesday morning I tried to compel the Health Minister to come to the Assembly Chamber to explain what he is doing to address these completely unacceptable waits.

“Unfortunately however my request for an Urgent Oral Question was not granted by the Speaker, but nevertheless the Minister should have realised the gravity of the situation and came to the Assembly voluntarily. 

“Exactly this time last year the former Health Minister Jim Wells said ‘there is nothing more important to me than the care provided to our children and ensuring it is high-quality, safe and sustainable.’ Surely the current Minister will accept that this is not currently being achieved as a result of the excessive waits.

“I regularly witness the busy surgeries that are being run in Clarke Clinic and have the utmost admiration for all the staff involved. Unfortunately they, like the children who are waiting to be seen, are being let down by the Health Minister.  

“We have been promised a joined up service with investment from Dublin in Clarke Clinic, but none of this has materialised. Now the current provision is under immense pressure with some parents having to turn to the private sector to have their child examined.

“The Minister has promised investment in Clarke Clinic. Having lost our surgical capability he can't be allowed to stand idly by while the rest of the service collapses around him. 

“In addition, to provide the service that is needed he should know the numbers of children who avail of it. I was surprised when he was unable to supply me with the numbers of children who had been diagnosed antenatal with a congenital heart defect.”