The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's cross-community party

 David Ford

McCarthy keeps pressure on Health Minister to end age discrimination in NHS

1.28.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 8th Oct 2007

Portrait-yellow: MCCARTHY Kieran (photography: Allan Leonard)

Alliance Health spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA

Alliance Health Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has stated that he will be keeping the pressure on Health Minister Michael McGimpsey to end age discrimination in the NHS on local brain injury treatment. His comments follow the case of South Armagh man Michael Hanratty, who was refused treatment because people over the age of 65 are prevented from using the regional brain injury unit.

Ards Councillor, Mr McCarthy, said: "There must be no age discrimination in the NHS or anywhere else in society. Discrimination is simply unacceptable and it is against the law as well.

"Health services should be made available to everybody and discriminate in discriminatein any way cannot and must not be allowed. The best possible health services must be provided for everyone, and there must be no exception to this rule.

"From Mr Hanratty's case, it would appear that older people do not get the same quality of brain injury treatment as others. This is totally unacceptable.

"I am glad that the Minister indicated that he will overturn this, unless there is a serious rationale behind it. I will however be keeping the pressure on the Minister on this issue as I believe that the system as it currently stands is unfair. The NHS has a proud tradition and high standards - I want to ensure that this high quality treatment is available to everyone."

ENDS

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Next news story: Alliance Leader says OFMDFM is 'in turmoil' as Victims' post is re-advertised (Mon 8th Oct 2007).

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