Dickson Concerned by Potential Closures at Whiteabbey Hospital

Alliance East Antrim MLA, Stewart Dickson, has expressed ‘great concern’ at proposed closures of Rehabilitation Services at Whiteabbey hospital.

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust, in their efforts to cut spending by £13 million, has announced proposals to temporarily close the two rehabilitation wards, the associated day rehabilitation service at Whiteabbey Hospital, and despatch Trust employed staff to Antrim Hospital.

Commenting on the proposed closures Mr Dickson said: “This is very concerning news. A significant loss in bed numbers for rehabilitation patients will have huge ramifications for other hospitals in the area. The Health Service is already under extreme pressure, and this proposal by the Trust is only going to make the situation worse rather than better.

“Yet again, we are seeing the repercussions of the repeated failures of the DUP and Sinn Fein to form a government to ensure funding for the areas that need it most. The people of East Antrim need these vital services, and we could save them if the DUP and Sinn Fein would just stop playing games, and put people, rather than politics, first.

“I urge people to engage with the Trust and express their opposition to such a damaging loss of service that will result from these closures.”