Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs has called for DUP Minister
for Health, Jim Wells, to clarify the situation about the Minor Injuries Unit
at Whiteabbey Hospital which was subject to a ‘temporary closure’ in December
2014.
The Ulster Unionist MLA said:
“On announcing that the minor injuries unit at Whiteabbey
would have to be closed last autumn, Health Minister Jim Wells said that the
closures of three minor injury units at Armagh, Whiteabbey
and Bangor would be temporary – until the end of the financial year.
“We are now well into
the new financial year, and there is absolutely no sign of services being
restored. From speaking to Whiteabbey based staff, I am aware that services
have been completely taken away from the MIU.
“There have been no
indications from the Minister of Health or the Health Trust that they are
coming forward with a consultation process about permanent closure. It looks like what I warned could happen has
happened. Last November I said, “I hope the temporary closure at Whiteabbey will not be as temporary as
the temporary closure at the City Hospital A&E is turning out to be. The City
Hospital Accident and Emergency facility remains closed, 3 years after a
similar temporary closure announcement.”
It looks like this has turned out to be
prophetic. There is no sign that the
closure of Whiteabbey MIU was ever going to be anything but permanent. I have tabled a question to the Health
Minister at Stormont on this issue.
People are rightly angered and they feel have been misled yet again by the DUP on an important local
health matter.”
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