SDLP Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan has raised the issue of the North West Medical School with the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Health.The Foyle MLA said: ”The SDLP for many years have recognised the potential for the establishment of a medical school here in Derry and I was very pleased to get the support of other parties when I proposed it in the Assembly.
“Parties spoke not only of the crucial step this would be in the bid to expand Magee but also of the need to train and retain more doctors, particularly in the Western Trust area.
“That need has become more and more evident as we see the news filled with stories of the pressures facing our Health Service.
“Just before Christmas I revealed that progress on this project is at serious risk of being delayed due to the time required to gather sufficient evidence of need.
“Ulster University believe that the absence of a government here is exacerbating the risk of delay.
“Last week, I re-emphasised to Richard Pengelly, the most senior person in the Department for Health of the critical need for the school to happen and to happen soon. Could the evidence now being gathered not have been sought by the Department sooner?
“It is hugely frustrating to think that the ball has been dropped somewhere here after so much good work by so many people and all political parties undertaking to ensure the delivery of this project.”
