THE public are being given an extra month to have their say on controversial health service proposals to overhaul stroke and breast assessment services in Northern Ireland.
Officials in the Department of Health yesterday announced an extension to two public consultations, with an end date now set for July 19.
Last month the Department announced plans to “reshape” services, saying there were too many sites spread across the north.
Under the new proposals, breast assessment appointments for those with suspected cancer are to be offered in fewer hospitals and will centre on three sites – greater Belfast, Derry and Antrim.
Meanwhile, independent reports have repeatedly criticised the current provision for stroke patients and recommend that the existing 11 centres are slashed by almost half to provide expert round-the-clock care.
Campaigners in Newry and Coleraine have already criticised the move as Daisy Hill and Causeway hospital do not feature in the new vision for stroke treatment.
A Department spokesman said they were committed to the “widest possible public engagement on the proposals”
and hoped the extended consultation will facilitate the “vital debate” on the best way to change and improve services.
This article originally appeared on The Irish News
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