CONCERN has been expressed at controversial plans to withdraw the cardiac ambulance services from the Mid-Ulster Hospital.
It is understood the cover was withdrawn last Friday – the date the surgical ward one was closed at the Magherafelt hospital.
One insider told the MAIL that the loss of the service was “an atrocious situation” and effectively meant that after 4.30
pm each day if someone required a cardiac ambulance it would have to come from either Antrim or Coleraine Hospitals.
“It could be a life or death situation for someone who develops severe chest pains and happened to live in Cookstown,” said the source.
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone said the service was being withdrawn from the hospital during evenings, weekends and public holidays.
He has submitted written questions to the Health Minister Michael McGimpsey to clarify the situation.
“There has been widespread concern at the effect on front-line services in rural areas of the cuts the Health Minister has been forced to make due to the problems in the Executive’s budget,” he said.
“It would now appear that the latest cut to be made is the provision of cardiac ambulance cover at the Mid Ulster Hospital.
“I have sought further reassurances from the minister on cardiac ambulance provision in Mid Ulster and will continue my fight against cutting front-line health services in rural areas of South Derry and East Tyrone.
“Rural areas already suffer from a lack of investment, a neglected road network, and a difficult economic climate,” he said. And he added that removing further services undermines the sustainability of rural communities at a time when the focus should be on strengthening and supporting those communities.
Meanwhile, a Sinn Féin delegation including Mid-Ulster MLAs, Francie Molloy and Michelle O'Neill as well as Councillors Ian Milne and Kate McEldowney met with the acting Chief-Excutive of the Northern Health Trust, Colm Donaghy at the Mid-Ulster Hospital on Friday in an effort to prevent the further erosion service provision.
Speaking after the meeting Mr Molloy said the staff and mangement of the hospital are to be commended for the work they are doing in the face of continual cuts and uncertain job security.
“In light of this, I was appalled to see the Health Minister, Micheal McGimpsey attending a public rally in Belfast organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions against cuts in our public services as it fell on the same day that he closed the surgical ward at the Mid-Ulster Hospital.
"We believe that it is now time for a complete rethink on health strategy and the location of hospitals in the North.
“The modernisation of services is not working for the people of Mid-Ulster. What we need is a new hospital in Mid-Ulster, not a new block in Antrim Area Hospital," he added.
