“Delayed Pay Award Slap in the Face to Health Workers During Cost-Of-Living Crisis” – Connolly
Aontú Armagh Representative Daniel Connolly has slammed the Department of Health for delaying the pay award for NHS workers during a cost-of-living crisis.
Speaking today, Mr Connolly said “In the jaws of the worst energy and cost-of-living crises in living memory, it’s a disgrace that the Department of Health is delaying the pay award for Health workers. From the cost of Christmas to the increased cost of fuel and heating during the winter months, this pay award is needed most now.”
Mr Connolly Continued “The political deadlock caused by the Stormont parties is preventing essential funding from being injected into the healthcare system. Health Workers have already had to wait for 8 months for this pay award as a result of Stormont dysfunction. The North’s bowel and cervical screening programme are lagging worryingly behind neighbouring jurisdictions. A recent RCP report found that there was an 11-year waiting list for hip replacements. This is not acceptable.”
“Aontú is calling for the Department of Health to give health workers the pay award now. Stormont must be reformed so that the institution is more efficient at dealing with the crisis in our healthcare system. MLAs should not be taking a wage if they’re not willing to do the work the people of the North sent them to do” Concluded Mr Connolly
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