Foyle MP and SDLP leader Colum Eastwood
Said the Foyle MP: “Our NHS is facing the worst workforce crisis in its history, with many healthcare professionals forced into taking industrial action this week.
“In September this year, the Department of Health released figures showing over 8,000 vacancies within Northern Ireland health and social care (HSC).
“It is clear that the British Government have failed to train enough NHS staff to tackle this ongoing crisis, leading to patients in Derry and across the North finding it difficult to access GP appointments, operations or even ambulances when needed.
“This is exacerbated by the fact that the DUP refuse to enter Government at Stormont to address the shortfalls in our local health service.
“Along with other progressive parties in Westminster, I called on the British Government to end its outdated and unfair non-domiciled tax status regime, which currently costs taxpayers £3.2 billion a year and to use part of the funds raised to invest in the NHS workforce.
“This money should be used to give fair pay and conditions to the health workers in Derry and across Northern Ireland who are in dire need of support and guarantee that every patient has access to the world-class care our healthcare staff provide.
“It is hypocritical that the DUP turned up in Westminster to support this motion yesterday whilst their boycott of our local institutions exacerbates the dire situation our healthcare staff face here.
“They must immediately return to the executive, nominate a deputy First Minister and help to address this crisis in our health service.”
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