Major inquiry launched in Northern Ireland
MLAs and campaigners hear Health Minister Edwin Poots' response to campaigners' views
Yesterday I was in Belfast as we launched the new All Party Group (APG) on Muscular Dystrophy in the Northern Ireland Assembly and announced that an Inquiry will be undertaken by the APG into access to specialist neuromuscular care in Northern Ireland.
With almost every seat taken in the audience, Conall McDevitt MLA was elected Chair of the new APG and welcomed fellow Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), including Northern Ireland Executive Health Minister Edwin Poots MLA, and campaigners from across Northern Ireland.
Robin Swann MLA outlined current neuromuscular service provision in Northern Ireland as the meeting moved towards a discussion of the quality of care experienced by patients.
Michaela Hollywood, Sean Fitzsimons, Janet Bailie and Gerry McCollum all spoke about different aspects of specialist multi-disciplinary care from the patient perspective before Dr McConville, Dr Tirpuathi and Dr Herron offered the clinican viewpoint. They covered crucial issues such as respiratory support, equipment and care co-ordination. The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s Robert Meadowcroft and Nic Bungay also provided the charity’s standpoint on the urgent progress that needs to be made in Northern Ireland.
Health Minister Edwin Poots responded to these comments and acknowledged that there are issues to be addressed, welcoming the All Party Group Inquiry proposals which will see patients, health professionals and NHS decision-makers contribute to an assessment of the gaps in specialist care to be addressed.
For more information about the All Party Group, for which the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign provides the organisational support, please get in touch on 020 7803 4839 or by email at j.kingsley@muscular-dystrophy.org
