Ulster Unionists oppose potential permanent closure of City Hospital A&E

 Ulster Unionist Health spokesperson, Roy Beggs MLA has reiterated his Party’s opposition to the closure of the City Hospital’s A&E unit, following the Health Minister’s statement today (Tuesday) in which he stated the preferred option would see the permanent closure of the unit.
Roy said: … “When the Minister first announced that he was temporarily closing the Accident and Emergency unit at Belfast City Hospital, the Ulster Unionist Party warned of the dire consequences this decision would have should he not give the surrounding hospitals the support they needed to deal with the influx of extra patients.”
“Our concerns have been confirmed by the steep drop in the number of patients being seen within the four hour target at the Royal Victoria and Mater Hospitals over the last three months of 2012.  In December 2012 the percentage of patients waiting four hours or less sat at 65.7% in the Royal Victoria and 66% in the Mater, staggering when you consider that the target is at least 95%.’
“In his statement today Edwin Poots states that if he decides to adopt the preferred option, “this change will result in the permanent closure of the Emergency Department in Belfast City Hospital.’
“My Party continues to totally oppose the closure of the A&E  at Belfast City Hospital.  On the evidence of the waiting times at Belfast’s two remaining A&E units since its closure, it is clear that we cannot cope without it.’
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