The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's cross-community party

 David Ford

Dickson slams plans to downgrade health at Whiteabbey

12.00.00am GMT Sun 23rd Feb 2003

East Antrim Alliance representative, Councillor Stewart Dickson, has said Government plans to downgrade services at Whiteabbey Hospital was a retrograde step.

Mr Dickson was speaking after the Health Minister's announcement today that there would be a reduction of services at Whiteabbey Hospital.

Mr Dickson stated: "As a long-time campaigner for the maintenance and improvement of services at Whiteabbey Hospital, I am opposed to the Minister's decision to downgrade acute services there."

"This is a retrograde step that will put lives at risk and I will be fighting to reverse this iniquitous decision."

"The effect of this downgrading will be to force patients from the Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey areas to make the journey to Antrim Hospital, which already has severe transport difficulties."

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