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An extra meeting of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust Board will be held in Newry on 3 November to consider the moving of Daisy Hill Hospital inpatient maternity services to Craigavon Area Hospital.
Members of the public can request speaking rights, with requests due by 12 noon on 29 October. The Trust has said it understands the significant public interest in the issue. Members of the public can also attend and the Trust have said it will accommodate as many people as possible within the safety limits. Those wishing to attend are asked to email the trust at the email address below.
The meeting will take place in the Boardroom at Monaghan Row, Newry, from 9:30am to 11:45am on Tuesday 3 November 2026. It is in addition to the six Board meetings scheduled for 2026.
The Board will consider one item for decision, an emergency temporary service change involving the consolidation of Daisy Hill Hospital inpatient maternity services to Craigavon Area Hospital.
The Trust said it recognises the significant public interest in Daisy Hill Hospital inpatient maternity services and understands how important the issue is to the communities it serves. It said the Board is keen to hear directly from members of the public and to ensure that people who wish to speak have an opportunity to share their views. The arrangements for the meeting follow the Trust’s Standing Orders and usual practice.
Members of the public, along with groups such as trade unions, campaign groups and political parties, can request speaking rights. Groups can have up to two people to present, and all speaking slots, whether for an individual or a group, must last no more than 10 minutes in total. Requests should be emailed to trustboard@southerntrust.hscni.net before 12 noon on Thursday 29 October 2026.
The Trust said it is important that the meeting is held in Newry in its Trust Boardroom. However, the Monaghan Row premises cannot facilitate online attendance.
To help plan for numbers attending safely in person, the Trust has asked people to let it know by emailing trustboard@southerntrust.hscni.net by 12 noon on Thursday 29 October 2026. It said it will seek to accommodate as many people as possible within the safety limits.
