Swann welcomes pledge on '˜Dal' future

Assemblyman Swann secured the assurance from the Minister following a written question asking for an update on the future status and utilisation of Dalriada Hospital. Responding the Minister explained: “There are no plans to change the status or utilisation of Dalriada Hospital. However, a Dalriada Pathfinder project is bringing Health and Social Care organisations together with local community representatives and the voluntary sector to look at ways of integrating health and social care around the expressed needs of frail and vulnerable patients in the Northern Trust area. A Steering Group is co-ordinating the project and engagement with the local community has also commenced to share the vision for the Dalriada Pathfinder.”

Mr Swann added: “While I warmly welcome this commitment from the Minister for the ‘Dal’, I will be monitoring the situation very closely to ensure that sufficient funding and human resources are provided to secure the long-term future of this much-needed constituency hospital.”