SDLP Ballyarnett councillor Rory Farrell
Speaking in the Guildhall at Council’s Health & Community committee where a delegation from Unison presented the findings of a survey which reported that 69% of health staff experienced burnout during the pandemic and 62% felt overwhelmed after long, intense shifts, the Ballyarnett representative said,
“The survey crystallises the strength and depth of feeling across health staff and the pressures they experience on a daily and nightly basis,” said Cllr Farrell.
“NHS staff should be cherished and celebrated, but that’s not the case. They’re burnt out, they’re exhausted.
“They’re overworked, underpaid and undervalued.
“We’ve got spiralling waiting lists. We’ve got under-investment across all services. And we’ve got a complete failure to adequately staff the NHS. And that’s an absolute scandal.
“From an SDLP perspective, we want to see an extra £1 billion invested in the health service. We want to see a 6% pay increase for nurses.”
Cllr Farrell added: “This can’t happen without an Executive, and we can’t have an Executive until the DUP put people before party, and people before the protocol.
“So, it’s time for the DUP to accept the election result.
“It’s time for the DUP to nominate a Deputy First Minister, and it’s time for the DUP to go back to work because none of the problems that society faces, whether it’s health, education or cost of living – none of these are going to be fixed until the DUP grow up.”
