SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan has said that Pathology Services at Altnagelvin Hospital must be protected during a review of Pathology services in the North.
The on-going review headed by Dr Michael Ryan is tasked with modernising Pathology services.
Mr Durkan said: “Any review or reorganisation must not be used as a tool to reduce the extent of services available in Altnagelvin or, indeed, West of the Bann under the guise of modernisation.
“I visited the pathology labs here at Altnagelvin with party colleagues last week and we were extremely impressed at the variety and volume of work being done by the team.
“The unit is staffed with a highly skilled and dedicated workforce but it is fair to say that this on-going consultation is impacting upon morale.
“Pathology Services here enable swift and accurate diagnoses and as a result saves lives.
“Any review should look at how the Altnagelvin model might be replicated rather than how it might be diluted.
“There is a very real concern that if services are moved, jobs in Derry will be lost as a result.
“With the new state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Unit nearing completion, it is ridiculous to consider any action that would erode the quality and capacity of Pathology Services available at Altnagelvin,” he added.
