Speaking following BBC reports that the number of people waiting for routine operations or to see a consultant in Northern Ireland is considerably higher than in England, Scotland and Wales, SDLP Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA our health service needed "major surgery".

The Foyle MLA said: "These latest statistics flag up, yet again, the fact that our health care system is not fit for purpose. Failure to transform the system will make it inevitable that we fall even further behind.

"The continued inability to meet targets, ever-growing waiting lists and major workforce issues are having a devastating impact on patients, their families and our over-worked and, sadly, often under-valued staff.

"Our health care system is in need of major surgery. We have had report after report that spell out the changes required if we are to deliver the level of care that people here need. There has been a broad political consensus that these changes need to be implemented. However, in the absence of an Executive and Health Minister, this cannot be done.

"We cannot afford to float around this political vacuum while people are suffering. Parties need to get together and put people before party –political posturing."

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