Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

MLA concerned about proposed Health cuts

Published: 16 February, 2010

Newry and Armagh Sinn Féin MLA, Cathal Boylan, has expressed his concern about proposed spending reductions being considered by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.

'I am led to believe that the main targets of these proposed cutbacks will be Transport and Domiciliary Care. It is believed each Division within Learning Disability, Physical Disability and Mental Health are being asked to reduce their costs by 15%'

'This could include removing the provision of weekend services where family or friend support is available; no service provided between 6.00am and 8.00pm; those people receiving care of 5 hours or less having the service removed altogether and a review of all service providers.'

Concluding, the Assembly member said;

'These proposals, as they currently stand, will have a huge impact on many of the most vulnerable in our society, their family and friends and employees within the Care industry.'

'The proposed reductions in spending needs to be handled in a most sensitive and professional manner and must not affect frontline services. The general public will have concerns about these proposals, especially when many of the Senior Management remains on such high salaries and pensions.'

'I will be discussing these matters with Party colleagues on the Health Committee at the Assembly to formulate a number of questions for the Minister on this issue on behalf of all the constituents in the Newry and Armagh area.'