Ms Susan Clyne:

Doctors are not making the decisions to close wards or theatres. It is the opposite. Doctors are calling for more wards to be opened, for more theatres and more staff. It is not just a matter of recruitment of doctors, but also recruitment of nurses. A team of people needs to work in opening these wards and services. The IMO would agree with Deputy Bernard J. Durkan that patients should be provided with a better service and more timely access. We completely agree with the Deputy and would like to see funding and resources going into the service to allow that to happen.