Alliance Councillor and General Election candidate for Upper Bann Eóin Tennyson has branded waiting times at Craigavon Area Hospital’s emergency department ‘appalling and unacceptable’.

He was speaking after it was revealed that 83 patients had to wait more than 12 hours for treatment on Tuesday evening.

Councillor Tennyson said: “Staff at Craigavon Area Hospital must be commended for the extraordinary work they do on a daily basis in increasingly difficult conditions, under relentless pressure and without respite.

“It is utterly appalling and totally unacceptable that 83 patients were forced to wait for more than 12 hours for care on Tuesday evening.

“It has been clear for some time now that our hospitals are overloaded and fast approaching breaking point. We desperately need to proceed with the transformation of our health and social care system to improve access for patients and alleviate pressure on A&E departments.

“We also must act, as a matter of urgency, to address pay and workforce planning issues in the sector.

“It is disgraceful that these key reforms are being held up by the lack of an Assembly as parties appear to be more interested in prioritising their differences than working together to deal with the issues that affect all of us.”