'It's really badly rundown': Problems with the NHS main issue for people of North Antrim heading into election

As the UK General Election fast approaches with voters heading to the polls on July 4, we are visiting each constituency in Northern Ireland to hear the issues which matter most to the public in the countdown to election day.

We visited Ballymena as part of our UK-wide 5000 Voices project to meet the people voting in the North Antrim constituency - the DUP's Ian Paisley Jr has held the seat since 2010.

A popular shopping district, we got chatting to the public about what influences their vote and what changes they are hoping to see made.

Read more: 5000 Voices: We went to Lagan Valley to hear your biggest issues ahead of the election

Read more: Full list of candidates running in the General Election in Northern Ireland

Unsurprisingly, problems with the NHS and waiting times was the most frequently mentioned concern voiced on the streets of Ballymena.

One woman said: "I think it is really badly rundown and I think staff are doing a terrific job with limited services."

Another added: "It is the worst when you are trying to see a doctor when you are really ill - you have no chance.

"They tell you to ring at 8:30 in the morning and when you ring, they don't answer until 9 and they say they are sorry they have no appointments and to ring back the next day.

"It's awful. Thank goodness at the minute I haven't had any problems yet."

One member of the public shared their concerns as her daughter is disabled and feels she does not get seen to as much as she should due to pressures facing the health service.

A 24-year-old woman added that when she experienced stroke symptoms, she was left in a waiting room for "ten hours without being seen".

"It is quite scary for a 24-year-old - it was quite scary that no one was able to see me," she continued.

Other issues brought forward by members of the public in Ballymena were education, the sea border, WASPI pension loss and the decline of the high street.

Most people we spoke to did not think favourably of PM Rishi Sunak - with many saying he is "out of touch" with the people of the United Kingdom

One said: "I think he has no understanding of people's everyday issues," with another adding that "none of them know what they are doing, they're just in it for themselves."

On the potential of a Labour government, one man believes it would be "trouble" for the public.

He said: "The cost of living will go sky-high if Labour get in and for the rest of them, they keep talking about what they would do but they don't know what it is like to be in government.

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