People struggling to get GP appointments says Mary O'Dowd, wife of MLA John O'Dowd who is standing for election to Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council

Mrs O’Dowd, wife of Upper Bann MLA John O’Dowd, said an Executive is needed to invest in local health and social services and to hire more GPs and nurses.

She said: "As a mother of three of children I know the pressure GP practices are under, resulting in people struggling to access appointments with their doctor and putting more pressure on Accident and Emergency Departments.

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"The health and social care system is breaking under the weight of more than a decade of Tory cuts to health and social care,” said the Sinn Féin representative.

"The current Tory government are acting like spectators to the collapse of health services in the north and in Britain. That is cruel, uncaring and unacceptable.

"Local communities depend on GP practices and they need certainty they will be able to access a doctor when they need one.

"Investment is key and while understandably much of the debate is about acute care, primary care also needs investment and planning,” she said.

"We need an Executive up and running now, and a health minister in place, to invest in our health and social care services, and to hire more doctors and nurses.

"I would urge the DUP to end its blockade of the Executive and work together with the rest of us to fix the problems facing our health service,” said Mrs O’Dowd.