SF MLAs raise health issues with local Trust

John O Dowd and Catherine Seeley met senior members of the Southern Heath and Social Care Trust about care in the constituency.

Catherine Seeley, who is on the Assembly’s Health Committee said: “Our discussions with the chief executive and his team covered a wide range of health issues from the Trust’s plan for the rebuild of Craigavon Hospital to the equally important issue of primary care.

“We listened to their plans and were impressed by the work which is already being carried out by the health service in Upper Bann and the plans for the future.

Concluding, Ms Seeley said: “While meeting the Trust we also raised the concern of Trust workers who are currently being paid weekly and are being moved to monthly pay.

“The change has the potential to bring hardship to some of the lowest paid workers and we were keen to establish what action can be taken to protect them.

“The Trust, while being sympathetic, informed us that they were working under a central directive from the health department and could not run a separate pay system.

“I have undertaken to raise the matter further with senior health officials.

“We also took the opportunity of discussing services for young adults with autism and the Trust are to further explore our concerns.”