Ministers Visit Cross-Border Projects

Northern Ireland and the Republic's Health Ministers have been visiting a number of cross-border projects to analyse how sharing health and care services across jurisdictions can benefit both communities.

Health Minister Edwin Poots and Minister for Health and Children James Reilly have said there are many benefits to be gained by working together.

The Ministers visited the new South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen and the Louth County Hospital in Dundalk.

Speaking at Enniskillen, Edwin Poots said: "I am impressed with the cross border co-operation on many health projects. The initiatives we have seen and heard about this morning are excellent examples of good practice and show the importance of collaboration.

"For example, the cross-border vascular service allows an innovative outpatient procedure to be carried out for patients who had previously waited in excess of two years for the procedure prior to this service commencing."

The Ministers were told that the Radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin hospital is on track for completion in 2016. Minister Poots said: "This is great news and, when completed, this unit will be of immeasurable benefit to cancer patients both north and south of the border.

"Our strong partnership approach is key to delivering effective, innovative and streamlined services. Sharing information and resources on both sides of the border to maintain a better standard of care can only be of benefit to the people in both parts of this island. I am certain that working together will assist to improve health outcomes in the future."

Minister for Health and Children in the Republic of Ireland James Reilly said: "I am very pleased to be able to see at first hand these important projects which CAWT (Cooperation and Working Together) is managing. It is particularly enlightening to meet with the professionals involved in the projects and the users of the projects."

Elaine Way CBE, Chief Executive of the Western Health and Social Care Trust, said: "This is truly a momentous occasion and I am honoured to welcome both Health Ministers to the Western Trust’s South West Acute Hospital. The South West Acute Hospital provides the ideal setting for greater cross border working now and well into the future. Today’s visit provides the perfect opportunity to showcase some of the tremendous health and social care practice which takes place in the Western Trust area."

(IT/CD)