Sinn Fein MLA Maeve McLaughlin
SINN Féin MLA Maeve McLaughlin has said the permanent secretary of the health department will come before the Assembly’s health committee this week to discuss the current crisis in the health service.
Richard Pengelly is the husband of the DUP’s new MLA Emma Little-Pengelly, the daughter of loyalist gun runner Noel Little.
Ms McLaughlin, the chair of the Assembly’s health committee, said;
“There is a clear crisis in our health system and the public are entitled to answers on what is being done about it.
“I have been in contact with the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health, Richard Pengelly, who is effectively running the department in the absence of a health minister.
“I asked him to come before the health committee this week to discuss the current crisis in the health service and he has agreed to attend.
“This will allow members of the committee an opportunity to ask questions about what is being done to address the crisis.
“However, the permanent secretary is no substitute for a minister in post making decisions to tackle the current difficulties.
“People want to see the heath minister back at his post working to improve the health service for everyone.”
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