'Executive needed to help families requiring care packages' - Ciara Ferguson MLA

Families requiring domiciliary care packages need the Executive to be formed as a matter of urgency, according to Foyle MLA, Ciara Ferguson (Sinn Féin).

Ms Ferguson added a functioning Executive was also crucial in order to "invest in the under-pressure health service".

Commenting on reports from the Department of Health that 2,780 people are waiting for a care package, Ms Freguson  said: "The sharp decline in the number of care packages delivered over the winter is deeply concerning and impacting on families who are badly in need of support to take care of their loved ones.

“With more than 2,700 people on a waiting list, staff are also facing huge challenges due to lack of resources and understaffing. This needs to be urgently addressed.

“Families and health workers need a health minister in place and an Executive working together to invest in the health service, to hire more staff and tackle waiting lists now.”