A DOWNPATRICK politician has been appointed to the health body created to provide a voice for patients.
Councillor Colin McGrath is one of 16 individuals from across the Province who have been appointed to the Patient and Client Council by Stormont health minister Edwin Poots.
The local councillor, who speaks on health issues for Down Council’s SDLP group, said he is looking forward to starting work on his four-year appointment.
The other members of the Patient and Client Council come from various sectors and have been chosen to steer the work of the organisation.
Councillor McGrath said he’s “delighted” to undertake his new role and has thanked Mr. Poots for nominating him.
“I have always said my role in local government will be to work on behalf of people and to be their voice and their conduit, ensuring the best possible service delivery for them,” he continued.
“Since my election to Down Council in 2005, I have taken an interest in health-related matters and have been my party grouping’s health spokesman for the past five years, playing my role as part of a wider team to secure the best possible services for the people of Down.”
Councillor McGrath is looking forward to the challenges of his new role, in particular, the opportunity he might have to bring a voice to young people who interact with health services in any form, including accident and emergency departments, having planned surgery or living in the care of social services.
He continued: “It will take me a short period of time to learn the work of the Patient and Client Council and the impact that it can have on those who use the service.
“I will ensure that the voices of people from Down District and across Northern Ireland are heard loud and clear by the powers-that-be and that all involved in health care provision, from the Minister down, ensure that the highest quality service is offered to people at all times.”