Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said a response is needed on delayed discharges from hospital, which have seen over 200 people die in hospital rather than at home or in care over the past year.

A report from Marie Curie showed delayed discharges meant patients were dying in care despite being declared ready to go home.

The South Belfast MLA stated: “It is in absolutely nobody’s interests for people wanting to return home to be left in hospital, and it distressing when people who were hoping to live their final days at home are forced to stay in hospital by a system which has not been transformed quickly enough.

“Delayed discharges are likely only to become more common if health and social care services remain unreformed, as people are living longer with more complex needs.

“Stalling is not an option, and yet stalling is all the two main parties are willing to accomplish. This is yet another example of people in real need becoming victims of political paralysis and failure. It is time those with the largest mandates reconsidered their priorities.”