Alliance blasts plans to cut hospital lab opening hours

9.52.25am GMT Wed 7th Feb 2007

Strangford Alliance Representative Kieran McCarthy

Alliance Party Health Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy has hit out at plans that will negatively impact upon laboratory services in three hospitals in Northern Ireland, saying that our health service needs extra investment, not cuts. His comments follow revelations that new government proposals are causing concerns about cuts in opening hours of laboratories at the Erne, Daisy Hill and Causeway Hospitals.

The Strangford representative said: "I am disgusted at these proposals because these laboratories provide a vital service for the Erne, Daisy Hill and Causeway hospitals.

"I am very concerned that these cuts could lead to the downgrading of these hospitals, and this must not happen.

"The government should be investing in the health service here, not trying to make cuts. Our hospitals are stretched enough as it is and further cuts are totally unacceptable.

"When it comes to people's health, the best possible services must be made available.

"If these cuts take place there may be delays in receiving test results for patients and that simply cannot and must not happen."

ENDS