05/07/2013
Poots Praises NHS
Health Minister Edwin Poots has praised the NHS on its 65th anniversary.
"A lot has changed in the last 65 years," he said.
"Alongside social, economic, and environmental improvements, advances in health care and treatment have made a significant contribution to people living longer than before. This of course puts increased demand and pressure on the health care system."
The Minister continued: "The NHS has contributed significantly to seeking to close the health gap between those most advantaged and disadvantaged in our society. The health of the Northern Ireland public has been improving over time and in the last seven years, life expectancy here increased for men by one and a half years, and for women by a year.
"The founding principle of the NHS was to provide equal access to the health service for everyone, free at the point of need. We need to remain committed to this founding value of the NHS and the Health Service must continue to work alongside other sectors in seeking to improve health and reduce health inequalities."
In his time as Health Minister, Mr Poots has given the go-ahead for £56m funding to allow a new radiotherapy centre at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry and £92m for capital projects at the Omagh, Altnagelvin and Ulster Hospitals.
In June 2012, the Queen officially opened the new South West hospital in Enniskillen following a capital investment of £270m from the Department of Health.
However, speculation continues to mount over the Health Minister's intentions regarding the privatisation of NHS services.
In May, Mr Poots apologised over a decision to close 18 National Health Service (NHS) care homes; a move that would have affected up to 307 residents.
He has since said the closures will no longer go ahead.
(IT/CD)
"A lot has changed in the last 65 years," he said.
"Alongside social, economic, and environmental improvements, advances in health care and treatment have made a significant contribution to people living longer than before. This of course puts increased demand and pressure on the health care system."
The Minister continued: "The NHS has contributed significantly to seeking to close the health gap between those most advantaged and disadvantaged in our society. The health of the Northern Ireland public has been improving over time and in the last seven years, life expectancy here increased for men by one and a half years, and for women by a year.
"The founding principle of the NHS was to provide equal access to the health service for everyone, free at the point of need. We need to remain committed to this founding value of the NHS and the Health Service must continue to work alongside other sectors in seeking to improve health and reduce health inequalities."
In his time as Health Minister, Mr Poots has given the go-ahead for £56m funding to allow a new radiotherapy centre at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry and £92m for capital projects at the Omagh, Altnagelvin and Ulster Hospitals.
In June 2012, the Queen officially opened the new South West hospital in Enniskillen following a capital investment of £270m from the Department of Health.
However, speculation continues to mount over the Health Minister's intentions regarding the privatisation of NHS services.
In May, Mr Poots apologised over a decision to close 18 National Health Service (NHS) care homes; a move that would have affected up to 307 residents.
He has since said the closures will no longer go ahead.
(IT/CD)
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