West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

"It's time for the Minister of Health to deliver!" - McCann

Published: 19 November, 2008

Sinn Féin West Belfast MLA Jennifer McCann this morning addressed the 'Time to Deliver' rally at Stormont.

Speaking after the rally Ms McCann said,

"Minister for Health must accept that that a new regional Women and Children's Hospital is an urgent priority project for his department.

Last week the Assembly endorsed a motion brought by Sinn Féin on the provision of the new Regional hospital for Women and Children.

The Assembly supported this motion because of the irresistible medical evidence available, as well as the overwhelming public demand for a new Regional hospital for Women and Children on the Royal site."

Ms McCann told the rally that the Minister's current timeframe for the commencement of work on the new regional hospital as "unacceptable".

She said,

"The Minister's decision that work on this vital project will not begin until 2017 is totally unacceptable.

This decision flies in the face of the urgent health needs of women and children for this new hospital and the integrated services which would be located at the Royal.

It is also at odds with the Minister's own acknowledgement that there is "an urgent requirement" for this new hospital.

It is time for the Minister for Health to keep the promise which was made for a new hospital for women and children. It is time to deliver".