Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson and chair of the Health Committee Philip McGuigan has said health transformation must be guided by evidence and partnership working. 

Speaking following Sinn Féin’s submission to the Department of Health’s Consultation on Hospital Reconfiguration, the Sinn Féin MLA said:

“I welcome the publication of this consultation and the commitment that no Acute Hospital will close.

“Sinn Féin understands the need to deliver transformation of our health system in order to cut waiting times and provide high quality services.

“While we agree that its vital proposals for transformation and reconfiguration need to be evidence based, they also need to be developed in partnership with those who work in, and rely on, these vital services.

“However, this consultation is not the reconfiguration blueprint muted by the Minister for Health that many expected.

“More detail regarding the categorisation of our hospital network is required and evidence behind those categorisations needs to be communicated in order to give the public confidence and a better understanding.

“The consultation was also lacking in its understanding of the transformational potential of cross-border and all-Ireland health services.

“This is particularly so for our border communities in accessing timely healthcare services who may find themselves geographically closer to hospitals on the other side of the border.

“As Chair of the Health Committee I look forward to engaging with the Health Minister on the outworkings of this consultation. Sinn Féin’s priority is to ensure that our health service meets the needs of our communities and delivers better health outcomes for everyone.”