Margaret Ritchie, SDLP Assembly Member for South Down, has urged the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, to ensure local representation is available on Patient and Client Councils.

Miss Ritchie said, “The Patient and Client Council has been effective since the 1^st April and is tasked with the role of representing the interests of the public. To ensure a locally responsive organisation the PCC are supposed to have small standing advisory committee made up of representatives. I am however concerned with the make up of these Advisiory Committees.

I was dismayed to learn that only one representative from the Southern part of Down has been appointed to this Council. The Southern Area has a population of over 300,000 and it is one of the fastest growing parts of Northern Ireland. I am further concerned as Local Advisory Bodies will be dominated by representatives from the Patient and Client Council with 3 representatives to two local representatives. It is imperative therefore, that the local representatives on the Local Advisory Bodies are residents with a background in health and well being. This would aid Local Advisory Bodies to provide a true reflection on the concerns and issues faced by the people in the Southern area of South Down.

I am pursuing this matter with vigour and have made strong representations to the Minister for Health requesting he intervenes in this matter so that the reflective needs of the people in the Southern area are met.”

Liked This Post? Why not share it!