Mike Nesbitt said that Stormont and Dublin working together on health “makes sense”
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes has welcomed comments from Mike Nesbitt in support of greater all-island cooperation in healthcare while appearing before the Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Oireachtas Committee is the only one to permit attendance from MPs elected in Northern Ireland.
Appearing before the committee on Wednesday, Mike Nesbitt said that working together on health “makes sense” and that he has “no ideological or political objection to further health cooperation between the two jurisdictions.”
“In fact, quite the opposite. I know when we go to the border for health meetings, what I discover is that the border is not a defining difference. It is actually showing similarities and the challenges that are absolutely equal in both jurisdictions,” he said.
“So I am always willing to explore cross-border collaboration, particularly where there is a clear population need and where we can do it in a sustainable, long-term manner.
“When it comes to health and wellbeing, doing what’s right is what my main priority is going to be.
“Given health services in countries across Europe are under pressure to some extreme degrees, it makes sense we work together in a mutually beneficial way to improve those outcomes north and south.”
Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh, Dáire Hughes, described Mike Nesbitt’s appearance at the committee as “constructive and useful.”
Dáire Hughes said: “It was great to welcome Minister Nesbitt to the Good Friday Agreement Committee this morning.
“For the past number of months, the GFA Committee has focused on the theme of healthcare.
“Agencies such as the All-Island Congenital Heart Network, the All-Island Cancer Research Institute, the Institute of Public Health and the Shared Island Unit, along with healthcare professionals and academics including Professor Deirdre Heenan, Ulster University and Professor Anne Matthews, Dublin City University, have attended the committee.
“What has been clear through all of their contributions is that where there is maximum collaboration across the island, patient outcomes are better.”
Speaking after the hearing, Mr Huges said that Mike Nesbitt’s remarks on his positive working relationship with Irish Health Minister Jennifer Carroll McNeill were “really welcome”.
“Minister Nesbitt also spoke of ongoing work in relation to developing a joint strategy between the island’s departments of health, enhancing collaboration moving forward. This is a welcome initiative, and we look forward to its publication,” he added.
“There are numerous instances of patients from the south benefiting from treatment in the north, such as the renal services which operate from my local hospital, Daisy Hill in Newry, and treats patients from the locality regardless of which side of the border they happen to live on.
“There are huge opportunities to further deliver services in this manner. Sinn Féin representatives also made contributions on data sharing across the jurisdictions, developing clinical trails on an all island basis, inequalities of access to medications across the island and issues around workforce planning.
“Minister Nesbitt’s contribution was practical and positive, All island healthcare makes sense and it is very positive to have a health minister in the north recognise this and commit to deepening and developing collaboration in the future.”
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