Poots must resolve pressures at the Royal Victoria Hospital – McCarthy

Alliance Health spokesperson, Kieran McCarthy MLA, has said that the Health Minister must sort out the problems at the Royal Victoria Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department following reports that around 100 people were waiting to be treated on Monday night. It is believed that five people had been waiting for over 20 hours.

Kieran McCarthy MLA said: “I was shocked by the reports of how many people were waiting to be treated on Monday night. It is completely unacceptable that any patient had to wait for over 20 hours to be treated. I am concerned at how often these pressures are taking place, it now seems to be a regular occurrence.

“The Health Minister must resolve the pressures that are occurring at the Royal Victoria Hospital.

“He is struggling to deal with all the issues in his Department. If he is not able to carry out all of his duties then he must step down.

“While the Health Minister’s performance has been heavily criticised; the staff at our hospitals are doing a fantastic job despite the pressures they are facing.”

ENDS