Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy has welcomed the intention of the Health Minister to progress with a new emergency department at Altnagelvin Area Hospital.

The Foyle MLA was speaking following a meeting of the Assembly’s Health Committee where Minister Nesbitt made the announcement:

“For some time now, Sinn Féin has been calling for a new emergency department at Altnagelvin to meet the needs of local people, and I am delighted this has been announced today.

“Just recently, I held a debate in the Assembly on this very issue, and pressed the minister for progress in this project.”

The existing emergency department at Altnagelvin is the oldest in the north, and Mr. Delargy also emphasised the importance of this rebuild for the region:

“This will have a transformative impact for those patients who need emergency treatment, and will help to cut waiting times, improve services and better support workers.

“The patients and workers I have spoken to, particularly over the last few months, have been crying out for a positive step forward for Altnagelvin, and will warmly welcome today’s news.

“I look forward to seeing this new emergency department progress further, and I will continue to work hard to ensure communities right across the north west have access to good-quality healthcare.”