Health

A modern society demands a modern health service. I believe that only a health service free to all and accessible to all can meet the needs of the 21st century.

I am determined to see changes at all levels within the National Health Service to deliver a more effective and efficient service.

To achieve greater accessibility and improve hospital waiting times I am committed to developing integrated polyclinics in every major town. We have witnessed many difficulties in patient provision at the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine and the Roe Valley Hospital in Limavady but I am aware too that staff at all levels are working hard to provide a reliable service despite the constraints imposed by budgetary controls.

I believe that GPs and other health professionals are pivotal to improving the overall health within society and I strongly support the initiatives around "Investing For Health".

Prevention is always better than cure, yet when things do go wrong I believe that early diagnosis followed by early treatment is essential. Therefore, I pledge that every level I will work to try and shorten waiting lists and waiting times and to develop better services for those with chronic illness.

Reducing bed-blocking is another key issue as is the introduction of free personal care for the elderly.

Healthcare can never be regarded as a privilege, it is an entitlement. We in the Ulster Unionist Party are committed to our local healthcare system and to making it work for you.

Environment

We all recognise the importance of a clean and healthy environment and the need to safeguard the quality of air, water and land. I want to ensure existing legislation is rigorously enforced and, where necessary, will work to introduce new legislation to tackle pollution and polluters.

I support the campaign for tighter controls for the preservation and development of our natural and built heritage. I want to ensure that the Planning Service adopts a more pro-active role in challenging developers who breach planning laws, bringing them before the courts where stiffer penalties are awarded.

I wholeheartedly support the development of Culture, Arts and Leisure. It was an Ulster Unionist Minister who increased capital funding on libraries, for the arts and for the Sports Council, including £8 million for the Football Strategy. Ulster Unionists are committed to the development of a national stadium for sport

I support the development of Ulster-Scots heritage initiatives and the continued development of the arts within society particularly within local communities.

I remain fully committed to promoting tourism as a major product in the east Londonderry area. I believe with coastline, our lakes, our mountains and our rivers we have a unique product that is still under-utilised.