Write a commentTwo motions relating to Daisy Hill Hospital are coming before the monthly meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council this evening.
The first on reopening A&E at Daisy Hill was put forward by Cllr Roisin Mulgrew, while Cllrs' Gary Stokes and Michael Savage have put forward a motion referring to the Covid-19 Outbreaks at Daisy Hill and Craigavon Hospitals as well as to the Acute Surgery allegations.
The motions follow a report at the weekend from MLA Liz Kimmins claiming that Acute Surgeries were being transferred from Daisy Hill to Craigavon Hospital. Ms Kimmins said “Over the last number of days, staff have received correspondence from senior management in the Trust providing an update on the plans for the return of Emergency Department (ED) to Daisy Hill. Whilst we are all extremely pleased that this is well underway following 6 long months with no ED at the hospital, staff have relayed their concerns around the changes to the surgical model."
Emergency Surgeries "suspended from 16 October"
Councillors Roisin Mulgrew and Barra Ó Muiri say that they had been informed that all emergency surgeries were to be suspended in Daisy Hill Hospital from the 16th of October and that many would see this as a downgrading of our services and indeed our emergency department.
Speaking of the alleged suspension of emergency surgeries Cllr Mulgrew said "Many within our community see this as a downgrading of our services and indeed our emergency department. We are now facing a situation where someone will present in Daisy Hill needing emergency surgery and will have to be transported to Craigavon.
"There is a belief within the wider community that, because of this more recent development, ambulances will in fact bypass Daisy Hill to continue on to Craigavon which will ultimately leave a much-reduced service in Daisy Hill for those in South Armagh,Newry and South Down."
The Newry city councillor added "The fact that services within the Downe hospital have also been severely reduced has left every resident within our district at risk. We, as a community and as a council have always supported our local hospitals and we now need to see our Trust supporting our local communities”
Cllr Ó Muirí believes that all services within local hospitals, especially emergency services must be reinstated without delay. "The trust had originally had issued an opening date for the emergency department, they then issued a statement saying the opening had been postponed by a month. This delay has led to a level of mistrust and huge concern within the community. While we acknowledge that the new date for reopening is now October 19th we want to stress to the trust that this date cannot be changed again." said the Slieve Gullion Councillor.
Cllr Savage and Cllr Stokes had previously tabled the motion on the hospital Covid outbreaks but amended it to seek clarity on reports surrounding acute surgery at Daisy Hill.
Cllr Savage said that they are "seeking clarity on reports this week and over the weekend that Acute Surgery is to be moved from Daisy Hill and calling on the Trust Management to meet with Council urgently to discuss these plans so local concerns and opposition can be voiced."
The Newry councillor added "If reports are correct this is unacceptable as no public consultation has taken place and this can have a far reaching negative impact on our local hospital for services such as Maternity."
The Motions
Re-opening of A&E in Daisy Hill Hospital
Notice of Motion received from Councillor Mulgrew:
The statement released by the Southern Trust on Friday 11th September notifying our community that the re-opening of the emergency department in Daisy Hill hospital has been delayed by almost a month has caused great concern for many. While we fully accept and appreciate the unique situation created by covid:19 and the logic behind the initial temporary closure, which has now lasted more than six months, we as a community cannot allow any further delays in the reinstating of this crucial service and indeed the services within the Downe hospital. The travel time for a significant percentage of our population to access services now exceeds an hour and this coupled with seasonal pressures and poor infrastructure has the potential to impact negatively on patients and indeed could mean the difference between life and death. We are asking that this Council contacts both Trusts and states in the strongest terms the concerns of our community and demands that there will be no further delays in the delivery of vital services. We also want to acknowledge the herculean efforts of all the staff within the health and care sector during this pandemic.
In light of the latest news that emergency surgery is to be withdrawn, from daisy hill hospital site and the fear that this has caused throughout our community and among staff we are asking that this council requests an urgent meeting with the trusts to clearly state that no downgrading of services is acceptable.
Covid 19 Outbreaks at Daisy Hill Hospital and Craigavon Area Hospital
Notice of Motion received from Councillors Savage and Stokes:
“This Council notes with concern the recent outbreaks of Covid-19 at Daisy Hill Hospital and Craigavon Area Hospital and offers our heartfelt sympathies to the families of the bereaved and wishes those suffering from Covid-19 a full recovery.
Council notes that the Minister for Health has appointed an RQIA-led team to carry out an independent investigation into the outbreaks and expresses its full support and admiration for all the staff across the health and social care service at this difficult time. Council also calls on the Minister for Health and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust to ensure the concerns of staff, patients and their families are fully addressed and these concerns are central to the investigation.
Council welcomes the planned reopening of ED Services at Daisy Hill Hospital in the coming days but requests that the Council Chief Executive writes to the Health Minister and the Chief Executive of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust seeking assurances that there are no plans, as a result of the current Pandemic measures, to move Emergency Surgery and High Dependency from Daisy Hill to Craigavon and Daily Clinical Care from Daisy Hill to South Tyrone in Dungannon.
Council requests that the Chief Executive of the Southern Trust comes before Council to address the concerns of Council and those we represent.”
Newry.ie have contacted the Trust for a statement.
