SINN Féin Councillor Sandra Duffy says she is is seeking clarification from the Department of Health regarding a review on cancer assessment services.
The party’s Health spokesperson was commenting after it was reported that a review was being carried out and that the Health and Social Care Board blamed staffing issues for ‘longer than acceptable’ waiting times.
She said: “Reviews of services are an important part of transformation of health and social care services.
“But service reviews must be based on co-design and partnership working with those who use and those who deliver these services.
“This is necessary in assessing the needs of the community, none more so than breast cancer assessments.
“Transformation must be about delivering services to achieve better health outcomes for patients. They cannot be motivated by workforce shortages or filling other gaps in the service.
“We will be writing to the Health Permanent Secretary seeking clarification on the status of a breast cancer assessment reported in the media and seeking assurances that it will be based on co-design with patients and staff working in the service.”
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