HEALTH:IN 1948 it was the UUP which established the National Health Service (NHS) in Northern Ireland and today it is the UUP which will make it fit for the 21st century, Michael McGimpsey said.
He said he was proud to be Health Minister in this the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the health service, which is free for everyone at the point of use.
He commended NHS staff and those serving with UK forces in field hospitals in Afghanistan, whom he met there in September.
He said as Minister he was “not prepared to accept the initial [health] budget” at last year’s conference and blamed the DUP Finance Minister.
“Since winning the battle of the budget” he said he was proud to say he was the Minister who delivered free prescriptions for the people.
He used his speech to repeat commitments to cradle-to-grave healthcare.
“During 30 years of direct rule little or nothing has been spent on our hospital buildings,” he said.
He said record levels of investments in hospital infrastructure would in time be announced.
Sums of cash, in the tens of millions, were trumpeted as proof of UUP commitment to the service.
Criticisms by the DUP were hypocritical, he said.
Quoting Benjamin Disraeli, he said the health of the people was really the foundation upon which all happiness and powers as a state depend.