Write a commentWe all face a massive challenge rebuilding health and social care in the wake of the first Covid-19 wave, Health Minister Robin Swann has stated. The Minister was launching a framework for rebuilding health services over the next 12 months.
Locally there have been many calls for the immediate re-opening of the Emergency Department at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry following its movement to Craigavon Hospital in March although in todays roadmap there is no mention of a date for re-opening.
The Southern Health Trust in launching their roadmap once again state that the Trust is committed to the reinstatement of the Emergency Department at Daisy Hill Hospital in the longer term plan, but that for Stage 1 in June, services will remain as they are currently and "options will be developed to further consider interim safe models of service delivery."
In June they also plan to further increase Endoscopy provision (including Flexible Cystoscopies) at Daisy Hill Hospital. Midwife /Nurse led smear and pessary clinics are to restart at Daisy Hill too along with an increase in the number of gynaecology clinics.
In regards to Paediatric Inpatient Services, enabling works will be required to facilitate the reinstatement of 5 inpatient beds at Daisy Hill.
Reflecting on the change needed throughout the north Minister Swann said “I don’t want to simply restore the health and social system to the way it was at the beginning of 2020.
“That would do a disservice to our great staff and the people of Northern Ireland. I honestly believe we can make it better. That will require patience, careful planning, sustained investment and collective support - not just around the Executive table but across society as a whole.”
Speaking at the Assembly yesterday Newry and Armagh MLA Liz Kimmins told the Health Minister that it was critical that services at Daisy Hill Hospital Emergency Department are restored as quickly as possible and sought reassurance that the reopening of services across Trust areas would not be be done by a "postcode lottery" where services reopen first in more centralised sites.
“The Health Minister in response to this query stated that this would not happen. This is to be welcomed. I also urged him to ensure that the six Health & Social Care Trusts are engaging with his Department to ensure a joined up, cohesive, safe and effective recovery plan.
The MLA continued,“Todays publication by the Southern Health & Social Care Trust for the planned rebuilding of their services is a welcome development as is the reiteration of their commitment to the restoration of Daisy Hill's Emergency Department. However, as the reopening of Daisy Hill ED has not been included in the immediate actions for the month of June which are outlined in the plan, it has of course raised concerns that this important issue is being kicked down the road. Our communities need access to the Emergency services at Daisy Hill as soon as is practically possible, and I do hope that we will subsequently see this as part of the next stage of the document in the 3 month plan for July-September. Our communities need access to the emergency department at Daisy Hill and it must not be closed one more day than it needs to be.
The Chief Executive of the Southern Trust and the Health Minister have both confirmed their commitment to the restoration of Daisy Hill's ED and we will continue to hold them to this until we see the restoration of this crucial service at Daisy Hill.
Concluding the Newry and Armagh MLA praised the commitment of Carers.
“I also highlighted to the Health Minister and the Assembly the fact that it is Carers Week this week. I paid tribute to the thousands of unpaid carers across the North who have been managing under very difficult circumstances. They have had to cope with the loss of vital support such as Day Care facilities and Respite services throughout this pandemic and I have urged the Minister to ensure the safe reopening of these facilities is a priority”.
