Council to write to government in opposition to health cuts

by Gareth Cross

Derry City and Strabane District Council is set to write to the conservative government to express its opposition to cuts to the health service.

It comes after a proposal from Sinn Fein councillor Christopher Jackson during a full meeting of the council at the Guildhall last week.

The Western Trust board has been tasked with saving £12.5m from its yearly budget due to a lack of funding.

Cllr Jackson said that the cuts were 'politically minded' and that they could be stopped by funding from central government.

He proposed that council write to the Department of Health 'to outline in our opinion that these cuts are unnecessary and to seek centrally led funding to address pressures in health and care.

Cllr Jackson told council that if enacted, the cuts would result in a 'loss of life'.

The proposal was seconded by Sinn Fein councillor Sandra Duffy.

SDLP councillor Tina Gardiner felt that 'the political parties need to get together and solve this issue'.

Cllr Gardiner said that these were 'life and death issues'. She told council that the Trust was 'between a rock and a hard place' because of its legal obligation and that 'public representation could make the difference'.

Independent councillor Paul Gallagher said that if council supported the proposal in its current form it would be 'another sham.'

He told the council that if they wanted to make it effective it should say that the council was opposed to all cuts and would not facilitate any implementation of the cuts.

Cllr Gardiner said the current proposal was 'pandering' and that made members as guilty of those implementing the cuts.

The proposal was passed by council members.

Independent councillor Sean Carr proposed that the council write to the Trust Chief Executive Anne Killgallen to seek clarity around the rumour that staff had been called and 23 beds were to be closed at Altnagelvin Hospital.

Cllr Carr said if the rumour was true it would mean cuts were being made 'while the consultation is still ongoing'.

Cllr Gallagher proposed writing to the 'Tory government' and telling them council are 'opposed to all cuts and opposed to the implementation of those cuts'.

This proposal was seconded by Independent councillor Warren Robinson.

DUP councillor David Ramsey asked 'how can you oppose cuts when you are not the person to oppose them' and said that that the Trust board has a 'job to do'.

Independent councillor Darren O'Reilly replied that it was 'not business, it's people's lives and that should be protected'.

He called on council to oppose 'all cuts' and accused the DUP of wanting to oppose when it suits them and then 'get back in bed' with the conservative party'.

Cllr Gallager's proposal was passed by council by a vote of 24 for, six against and with two abstentions.