The Northern Executive is determined to tackle heart disease in the region and alleviate the suffering of those on cardiac surgery waiting lists, Finance Minister Mr Sean Farren said today.
The SDLP Minister told the Northern Ireland Assembly that the Executive was reinvesting £3 million of its money in an initiative to reduce pressure on cardiac surgery services by flying people out of the region for treatment.
"We have been persuaded by the merits of the argument that we should address in a specific, time-bound and innovative way Northern Ireland's chronic cardiac surgery waiting list," he said.
"It is well-known inside and outside this Assembly that we suffer the highest of such waiting lists not only in the UK but right across Europe.
"Heart disease is Northern Ireland's number one killer and the executive is determined to address this issue.
"A further £2m is also being provided to address other waiting lists."
PA