SDLP Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan says new figures reveal the “alarming” and “dangerous” position our health service is currently facing.
The Foyle MLA said: “These shocking figures reveal the alarming and dangerous state of our health service.
“The Royal College of Surgeons has exposed the terrifying reality that tens of thousands of patients here are waiting over a year for appointments.
“We constantly hear the about the lamentable state of the English health service, yet these figures show that the situation is ten times better there than here. That is utterly unacceptable.
“This undermines the need for urgent transformation. Our health care system is simply not fit for purpose. Failure to transform the system will make it inevitable that we fall even further behind.
“The continued political deadlock only deepens our health crisis. Political parties cannot simply abdicate responsibility while patients continue to suffer.
“The inability of the DUP and Sinn Fein to reach a political compromise is compromising patient safety and the care.
“Patients cannot be allowed to pay the price for political failure, there is still time to do a deal to resolve the impasse.
“Both big parties must now step up, there is simply no point in having a big mandate if you won’t do anything with it,” added Mr Durkan.
