Health Committee chairperson, Derry Sinn Fein MLA Maeve McLaughlin..
A business case for a health and social care campus on Derry’s cityside is still under consideration, according to the chairperson of the Stormont Health Committee Maeve McLaughlin.
The Foyle Sinn Fein MLA was speaking after meeting meeting the chief executive of the Health and Social Care Board, Valerie Watts, Healthy Living Alliance and the Greater Shantallow area Partnership.
Despite a site being identified in Derry a number of years ago and an overwhelming case being made for such a facility a decision was made at the start of the year to choose Lisburn and Newry as the priority locations.
Ms McLaughlin said it was important a health campus is established on the Westbank of the city.
She said: “I am glad now that the cityside is clearly on the agenda and a business case is currently being considered for location.
“I have made the case that in a catchment area of over 70,000 population there should be enhanced services of the kind promised by the new Health Campus model.
“It would include provision such as primary care professionals from a range of disciplines, including GP’s working with modern equipment and advanced technologies to provide services that are easily accessible and responsive to client and patient needs.”
Ms McLaughlin concluded: “It is important that we maximise this opportunities in terms of health outcomes and targeting the Health inequalities that exist in Derry.”
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