Ulster Unionist Party Health Spokesperson Jo-Anne Dobson MLA has expressed her shock and anger at Simon Hamilton’s response to the latest publication of hospital waiting times across Northern Ireland. In figures just published it was revealed that over 397,400 patients were waiting on either a diagnostic test, a hospital appointment or a hospital procedure, and instead of a plan to address this crisis the Minister could only provide excuses.

The Upper Bann MLA said:

“With almost 400,000 people, over one in five of our total population, now lingering on a hospital waiting list this is the biggest health crisis any Executive has experienced since devolution was restored. In terms of sheer impact it is undoubtedly the biggest and most acutely felt failure of the current Executive.

“For many people increased waiting times, whether it be for a diagnostic test or treatment, can be hugely detrimental. Waiting time targets exist for sound medical reasons as it is proven that the longer a patient must wait for treatment, the greater the risk that they may come to harm. Indeed our own local Health and Social Care Board openly acknowledges that delayed diagnosis of serious or life-threatening conditions means there is a much reduced likelihood of a successful outcome. People’s lives are being put at risk. 

“I only wish Simon Hamilton would give the issue the attention that it deserves. Instead his response to these latest figures was to try to hark back to the debate on welfare reform as some sort of excuse. Whilst the failure of the DUP and Sinn Fein to progress welfare reform in a timely manner was unforgivable and cost the Assembly millions, the Minister is being disingenuous to suggest it was the primary reason for the current crisis in our health service. In fact the total funding shortfall across the Executive last year was £212m with welfare penalties accounting for £87m, less than half. He, more than most people, should understand the failures of the current budget given it was him who set it when he was the Finance and Personnel Minister.

“The Executive’s only response to the current waiting list crisis has been to give a last-minute allocation of an additional £40m in the monitoring round. Simon Hamilton claimed this would ‘kick start’ the local service, yet he doesn't mention the fact that last year the Health Department received over £80m in additional emergency in-year funding and the situation only continued to get worse.

“A coherent, targeted and resourced plan is needed to help the most ill and the most vulnerable people who are likely to come to harm as a result of the current crisis. Unfortunately Simon Hamilton has done absolutely nothing to implement one. His dithering and selfish politicking at such a time of crisis is unforgivable.”