Rural lives cannot be an 'afterthought', healthcare campaigners say
Campaigners warn that rural communities face being cut off from vital hospital services.
O'Cofaigh hopes Stormont ministers will recognise the "severity" of the situation.
"If you have to travel long distances, waiting long times to receive life-saving, treatments...then the health outcomes are different. They're not the same.
"The procedures can be much more complicated... People are already losing their lives. We're seeing it."
The campaigners have also told the executive that rural-proofing is "non-existent", stating that "decisions have been repeatedly made without meaningful assessment of the differential impact on our communities".
They have called for independent rural-needs and equality assessments, as well as a cross-departmental ministerial working group on rural health access.
In September, Health Minister Robbie Butler said a new independent expert committee would provide him with advice on major or controversial proposals for permanent changes to health and social care services.
He also asked officials to review the existing guidance governing the change or withdrawal of services, including consideration of rural and equality impacts.
