SDLP Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan has welcomed a new initiative to bring mental health specialists, physiotherapists and social workers into GP offices in Derry.
The scheme implemented under the Bengoa report, aims to provide patients with a more specialised and efficient model of health care.
The Foyle MLA said: “This initiative is a welcome one and hopefully this more localised approach to front-line health services can help in some way to alleviate the pressures facing GP surgeries and tackle the ever-present issue of waiting lists.
“Investment in this area has been long overdue and hopefully by identifying opportunities for early invention, we can better assess the needs of patients and provide more specialised care in the field of mental health and well-being as well as physical health.
“The Western Trust area is in desperate need of a specialised healthcare team who can be the first port of call for those seeking help, particularly those suffering with poor mental health.
“I would hope that this new proposal can help tackle long waiting times and provide support and guidance to patients who cannot afford to wait.
“I have constantly raised the need for more specialised resources to ensure better accessibility to existing services.
“Whilst this a step in the right direction, it remains just one step of many needed in the journey of transformation for the Department of Health.
“A lack of workforce planning and short-sighted decisions over the years has left our health service on its knees and it would be irresponsible to believe that this small package will solve the array of problems.
“I acknowledge that this is a long term task – but to successfully tackle the challenges we face here we need to plan adequately now.
“A sticking plaster approach will not work; we need a much more robust, ambitious plan for our health service. To do that, we need politicians to step up.
“The future of our patients and health service cannot wait,” he added.
