Middleton blames Sinn Fein for delay to health reforms

Foyle DUP MLA Gary Middleton, who is also deputy Chair of the Stormont Health Committee, has expressed his anger that the recently announced health service reforms in NI will now be put on hold.

Mr Middleton said: "As a result of the short term electoral stunt by Sinn Fein and their resignation from the Executive, plans to address waiting lists and waiting times will go unfunded and unaddressed. The waiting list strategy which was due to be released later this month will now not be implemented.

"Sinn Fein's decision also means that a budget will not be set by the Executive at Stormont for the incoming year, ensuring that the health reforms set out in the recent Bengoa report will not become a reality.

"Our health service staff and patients deserve better.

"It is clear that when the decision was taken by Sinn Fein to collapse the executive, their responsibilities as government ministers were not taken into account.

"The health minister should've been dealing with her health agenda rather than her republican one. We must ensure that these short-sighted stunts do not result in long-term damage."