MLA calls for power-sharing deal amid fears trust is at crisis point
be any tonight. We are currently in touch with trade union officials and are in the process of contacting the trust to get to the bottom of this situation, which seems dire.”
The MLA said she feared the health service was close to “breaking point”.
“We have nurses and doctors working to the point of exhaustion in our health service just to keep it afloat. But they can’t keep treading water forever,” she said.
“We need strategic political intervention to advance the transformation plan and to deliver better outcomes for patients, their families and our staff.
“We can’t go on much longer without the restoration of powersharing institutions to deal with this crisis.”
The Southern Health and Social Care Trust said emergency departments were “busy as would be expected over a bank holiday weekend and in line with the regional position”.
“The service (GP OOHS) has run as normal over the weekend. Base visits on Sunday night were available on other sites in the absence of a GP in Craigavon.
“The trust is happy to respond to any concerns raised by public representatives, but not currently aware of any contact with trust senior staff by the SDLP.”
Ms Bradley’s warning comes just days after helth chiefs hosted public meetings asking for comments on proposals to find millions of pounds in savings across the local health service.