Cross party delegation meets minister to put case for hospital

Following a meeting between a cross party delegation of councillors and the Minster for Health Edwin Poots on Monday, the subject was debated at length at Tuesday night’s Corporate Services Committee.

There was unanimous support from the committee members that the Accident and Emergency Department at Lagan Valley Hospital should be operational on a 24/7 basis and the Council will campaign to make this happen.

Concerns

The Chairman of the committee, Councillor Stephen Martin, said: “Our meeting with the Minister went very well and the Council expressed its deep concerns over the A & E department reduced hours.

“The Council’s cross party delegation included the Mayor, Councillor Brian Heading, Alderman Allan Ewart, Councillor Brian Bloomfield and Councillor Arder Carson which demonstrates the unity in our approach and I am grateful for the support of my fellow members.”

The Mayor, Councillor Heading said: “We know the groundswell opinion of the local community in the city is that they do not wish to see Lagan Valley Hospital’s A&E Department dwindle further and further.

“The Council is delighted that the Ulster Star is making waves on this issue and we will work with the local paper to ensure that the city’s voice is heard on this matter.

“The discussions with the Minister were productive and the Minister was made very aware of the depth of feeling for local services for local people,” he concluded.

There will be further meetings with members of the Corporate Services Committee and other relevant parties with regard to services provision at Lagan Valley Hospital.