Daisy Hill Campaign Groups meet Department of Health

The Department of Health has met Daisy Hill Hospital campaigners this afternoon at Stormont and at the meeting stated that intensive work is ongoing to stabilise its services.

DoH said that priorities for this stabilisation work include safeguarding service provision, minimising potential bed reductions and protecting the Emergency Department.

The DoH Permanent Secretary Peter May held meetings with the Daisy Hill Hospital Future Group and the SOS Daisy Hill group. He was accompanied at the meetings by senior DoH officials and Southern Health and Social Care Trust chief executive Dr Maria O’Kane.

Commenting afterwards, Mr May said: “The departure of consultants from Daisy Hill in recent weeks has caused deep concerns among staff and the local community.

“I assured both groups I met today that these concerns are shared by the Department and the Trust. We are working collectively and exhaustively to urgently stabilise services.

“The ongoing intensive discussions involve the wider Health and Social Care system, reflecting the fact that Daisy Hill is an important part of NI’s hospital network.

“The Department’s commitment to the hospital is evidenced in the announcement earlier this year of a £9.1m upgrade in its electrical infrastructure.

“I believe a way forward can be found to safeguard services and, crucially, to continue to protect and support the hospital’s Emergency Department.

“Alongside this stabilisation work, we also need to ensure a sustainable future for Daisy Hill and other hospitals of a similar size.”

Mr May continued: “I welcome the opportunity for today’s meetings. The local community is quite rightly very protective and proud of Daisy Hill Hospital. It is right that people are passionate in defence of the health service. However, I would appeal for the debate on the hospital’s future to be conducted respectfully.

“I have seen up close the commitment of Southern Trust’s senior management team to Daisy Hill. They do not deserve the personal abuse that has been directed at them from some parts of social media.

“The issues involved go much wider than the hospital or the Trust. Health authorities in many jurisdictions are grappling with the best way to ensure sustainable hospital consultant staffing. It’s a challenge that was highlighted in the Bengoa Report and properly resolving it will require strategic choices, investment and political leadership.”