Debate contribution: Downe Hospital: Urgent Care Centre

Debate contribution by Mr Colin McGrath on 24 March 2026.

MLA: Mr Colin McGrath
Party at the time: Social Democratic and Labour Party
Date: 24 March 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Downe Hospital: Urgent Care Centre
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5463226

Text

Minister, I appreciate that you were busy in America. Lagan Valley Hospital and the Ulster Hospital were able to maintain their urgent care centres on the day, but it was the people of Downpatrick, on its busiest day of the year, who were left short at Downe Hospital. If you were not aware of that and you were not aware of ambulance response times in South Down when I asked you previously, I wonder whether you are aware that, over the past five years, £1·8 billion has been spent by health trusts on agency and locum staff. Is it the case, Minister, that your advisers are not telling you what is happening, or are you just not interested in the realities of the health service?

125 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Topical question AQT 2201/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

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