Ulster Unionist Health Spokesman John McCallister has welcomed the publication of a major review of the delivery of health and social care across Northern Ireland.
The South Down MLA commented;
“This Report contains a great deal of information and has the potential to set the template for Northern Ireland’s Health Service for at least the next generation.
I believe it is essential that we seek out best practice elsewhere and take full account of the views of Health professionals and the relevant trade unions, as well of course of the general public.
A great deal of attention and speculation will understandably be focussed on the suggested reduction of A&E services and how this would affect communities but this is not the only issue which will be the focus of serious debate.
The Ulster Unionist Party has significant concerns at the proposal to transfer £83m from the hospital services budget to other services. Whilst we recognise the benefits of what the personal and social services segment of our health service delivers, we honestly do not believe that Northern Ireland’s hospitals could cope with a further reduction of £83m from their operating budgets.
I would urge the public to engage in the consultation process and to ensure that their voice is heard.”