‘Bring private hospitals into public control’ - Harkin

Councillors have unanimously backed such a proposal to help ease the burden on the overwhelmed health service and assist by carrying out red flag cancer surgeries and lifesaving operations.

The proposal was brought by People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin, who said: “As we have said over and over again we are in an emergency situation with our health service. This was dramatically put when Minister Poots said he had cancer and was considering paying £15,000 for an operation.

“A lot of people are going to be in the same situation because red flagged surgery, as we know, in may places in the north has been suspended which is why I’m bringing forward a Motion.

“We are in the middle of a pandemic, not everybody has £15,000 or anywhere near that to even consider going to a private hospital.

“It’s really unfair on people to be told you can get your operation if you can afford it but you can’t even if you are in more need,” Councillor Harkin added.

By Gillian Anderson

Local Democracy Reporter