Council opposes proposed 12% cuts to Health Service
Derry City and Strabane District councillor Shaun Harkin (People Before Profit) has welcomed the “unanimous support” from Council’s Health and Community committee opposing “proposed 12% cuts to the Health Service”.
“Workers at Altnagelvin have made it clear that there is nothing left to cut,” said Cllr Harkin.
“The pressures at Altnagelvin A&E are clear and will be made worse by these proposed cuts.
“Cuts will further jeopardise patient care and further undercut working conditions.
“Stormont has underfunded the health service for decades and allowed rampant profiteering to take hold. The health service needs investment, not cuts. Stormont's policy of supporting stealth privatisation of the health service must be halted.
“It is urgent that we send a clear message to Western Trust officials and the Health Minister that cuts are unacceptable. It is vital we back trade union resistance to Stormont's latest embrace of austerity,” said Cllr Harkin.
The full text of the People Before Profit motion read: "Council will write to the Western Trust Chief Executive and to the Health Minister to make clear our concern at proposed 12% cuts to the Health and Social Care Service. Council will invite trade union representatives for an urgent deputation on their concerns."