Following correspondence from the University of Ulster regarding the business case for the Derry medical school, SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said it is "lamentable" if the plans cannot go ahead with an Executive.
SDLP Health and Wellbeing Spokesperson Mark H Durkan said: "The establishment of a medical school at Magee is something that the SDLP have campaigned for for many years.
"When I brought a motion to the assembly on this subject it received unanimous support as every party accepted how transformative this initiative could be, not only in terms of kickstarting the university expansion which is so crucial to Derry's economic regeneration but also in terms of training and equipping more doctors to bolster our overstretched healthcare workforce.
"To find ourselves in a situation now where this major, positive piece of work cannot progress in the absence of an Executive is lamentable. The political impasse due to the failure of the DUP and Sinn Fein to form a government here is potentially risking a delay in this vital project.
"SDLP party leader, Colum Eastwood MLA, has written to the Department of Health's Permanent Secretary, outlining the need to getting the business plan approved but, there is real concern that without a minister in place to sign off on it, the North West medical college may not happen.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for Derry and it is at risk of being lost - the two 'big parties' need to reassess their priorities and put people first."
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