SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has said that clarity is needed around plans to transform the health service.
He was speaking after a statement from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt on a reconfiguration framework for hospitals.
Mr McGrath said that while progress on transformation is welcome, more detail was needed.
South Down MLA Mr McGrath said:
“Today’s statement from the Health Minister is welcome – transformation of our health service is long overdue and the failure to act has left patients waiting years for treatment and services on the point of collapse. Our staff have also suffered from the constant demand to give more while getting less and staffing issues have also put significant pressure on the sector.
“However, we cannot escape the fact that there is very little detail in the Minister’s statement today about what transformation will look like or what form it will take. Movement is all well and good, but we need to know where this is heading and how it will improve outcomes for patients in communities across the North.
“Without concrete proposals or timescales there is genuine concern that transformation could once again be allowed to drift. We have heard multiple Health Ministers pay lip service to the notion of transformation but what we need now is delivery to transform our health service and make it fit for purpose to provide patients with the care they need.”