Nichola Mallon calls for funding solutions to waiting list crisis

By Q News

Stormont's Infrastructure minister, Nichola Mallon, is calling for the Finance Minister to offer funding options to help tackle the hospital waiting list crisis.

The SDLP deputy leader says the executive can not turn a blind eye to the 3 hundred and 35 thousand people - currently on our hospital waiting lists.

Stormont's Infrastructure minister, Nichola Mallon, is calling for the Finance Minister to offer funding options to help tackle the hospital waiting list crisishttps://t.co/IYoBmLVLIz

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Ms Mallon says she plans to raise the issue at a meeting of the executive later.

The MLA said: "Three hundred and thirty-five thousand people are waiting on our hospital waiting lists, crippled by pain and distress. As a Government none of us can turn a blind eye, we have to roll up our sleeves and do something about it. 

“While it’s clear our health service has been under sustained stress for years and that has been compounded by the Covid pandemic, we need to act now to help alleviate the pressure."

SHe added: “In NDNA all parties in the Executive signed up to taking the politics out of health and putting the welfare of patients first. Now, more than ever, is the moment to realise that pledge. I will be proposing now that all Ministers work together to prioritise this crisis, I’m not interested in the political distractions or sham political fights, we need to get on with doing our jobs. 

“The true test of leadership must be what it delivers for citizens. Right now, patients are waiting, they can wait no more. I will propose that options are now brought forward by the Finance Minister to fund the hole in our health service and to tackle waiting lists plaguing our communities.”

(Nichola Mallon is calling for a funding plan to solve the hospital waiting list crisis)