PATIENTS and staff must be fully involved in a review of urgent and emergency care across the North’s hospitals, Sinn Féin spokesperson for health Councillor Sandra Duffy has said.
She was commenting after the Department of Health confirmed it would be conducting the review with the aim of establishing a new regional care model for the North.
Said Cllr Duffy: “Urgent and emergency care is a vital service that is under huge pressure. Winter brings additional pressures and we have been engaging with all health trusts on their preparations for this winter period.
“Increasing demands on urgent and emergency care is partly driven by an ageing population. Health inequalities and barriers to accessing primary care services are also increasing demand on urgent and emergency care.
“It is important to review these services but Department of Health must do so in partnership with patients and staff-from the outset if they are to be successful.”
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