Responding to the latest comments from the DUP`s Edwin Poots, Ulster Unionist Health spokesperson, Alan Chambers MLA, said:
“Once again Edwin Poots is performing his own twisted version of the blame game. A few days ago he was pointing the finger of blame at the nationalist community for Covid-19. Now he`s blaming the health service, and in the process, insulting everyone within it who is working so hard at this particular time to save lives. The fact that Edwin Poots says ‘I entirely agree’ with someone stating that what the health service is facing now is ‘nothing new’, that advice should be taken from ‘more than the medical community’ and cites Sweden as an example of good practice shows how detached from reality he is.
“It`s a widely accepted fact that one of the main reasons our health service is struggling during this pandemic is down to staffing levels. Edwin Poots was the Health Minister for a number of years when this staffing shortfall was developing. If he really wants to look for people who are responsible he might want to start by looking in the mirror. Whole swathes of Europe are currently in lockdown because of the second wave of Covid-19, but unfortunately some DUP deniers seem to think we can magically avoid taking tough decisions. Edwin Poots needs to get real and stop playing pathetic political games in the middle of a global pandemic, which has already delayed crucial life-saving decisions. His words and actions are grossly irresponsible.”