Health Committee chairperson, Derry Sinn Fein MLA Maeve McLaughlin..
SINN Féin MLA Maeve McLaughlin has called on the health minister to halt plans to reduce services at a children’s respite facility, ‘The Cottages,’ in Derry.
Parents of children who attend the facility have been told the services are being slashed.
McLaughlin, chair of the Assembly health committee said: “I challenged the health minister, Jim Wells, in the Assembly over the plans to reduce services at ‘The Cottages.’
“The proposal has caused a great deal of concern in the city, particularly among parents of children who use this valuable and much-needed facility.
“I called on the minister to halt the plans to reduce the service at ‘The Cottages.’
“I met with officials from the Western Trust last week who told me these proposals would only achieve savings of up to £40,000, yet the value of this service far excels that figure.
“I was encouraged by the fact the minister said he intends to take a personal interest in this matter and that the ongoing consultation has indicated a high level of satisfaction with the facilities at ‘The Cottages.’
“I will continue to lobby the minister and the Trust to abandon plans for any reduction in the service.”
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