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The ongoing reconfiguration of hospitals across Northern Ireland has sparked significant concern among local communities, particularly in Newry, where the Department of Health has failed to hold a consultation meeting, instead opting for a meeting in Armagh City last week. This oversight has been condemned by the SOS Daisy Hill group and has left many residents and healthcare professionals questioning the transparency and accountability of the process.
The reconfiguration plan, which aims to restructure hospital services in Northern Ireland to improve patient care, has been met with mixed reactions. While some see it as a necessary move to address funding and resource constraints, many communities are worried about the potential reduction in local hospital services, including the Newry area, which has long been an essential hub for medical care.
A public consultation meeting in Newry, was expected as part of the Department commitment to engage with local communities and provide a platform for residents and healthcare workers to voice their concerns and ask crucial questions. However, the Department has failed to hold this meeting as planned, despite repeated calls from local leaders for clarity.
Politicians from across the spectrum have expressed frustration at the Department’s lack of consultation in the Newry area. Councillor Killian Feehan tabled a Notice of Motion at this month's meeting of Newry Mourne and Down District Council, requesting the Department of Health hold a public meeting in Newry. The motion was passed by Councillor’s.
Cllr Feehan stated: “The people of Newry deserve transparency, especially when their local healthcare services are being restructured. The failure to hold a consultation meeting here is a serious oversight and raises concerns about the DoH commitment to genuine public engagement”.
Mary Luckie, a former local healthcare professional and a active member of the SOS Daisy Hill Hospital Committee, remarked: ”We are deeply concerned that the voices of those directly impacted by these changes, including patients and frontline workers, are not being properly heard. It's vital that the Department listens to local feedback before making any final decisions about hospital services”.
Several organisations, including, the SOS Daisy Hill Committee are calling for an immediate rescheduling of the consultation meeting in Newry, along with a commitment to more inclusive public engagement throughout the reconfiguration process.
Real, Constructive Conversations
The failure to engage with the Newry, South Down and South Armagh communities in the consultation process is deeply worrying. Francis Gallagher a representative from SOS Daisy Hill Hospital Committee said, ”It is not just about services; it’s about people, health, their families, and the future of our local hospital system. We need more than just lip service; we need real, constructive conversations”.
A local Community Activist has lodged a Pre Judicial Review case against the Department of Health’s failure to listen to the people from the Greater Newry Area and convene a Public meeting in Newry. A Legal Aid application has also been lodged by Solicitor Jack Murphy from Mc Ivor and Farrell Solicitors, Belfast on behalf of the Local Community Activist. It is hoped the case can be brought before the High Court as soon as possible.
Transparency and Accountability
Eddy Curtis of the SOS Daisy Hill Hospital Committee stated, “The Department of Health must prioritise transparency and accountability by promptly rescheduling the consultation meeting in Newry. Only through full engagement with local communities and healthcare professionals can the Department ensure that the reconfiguration of hospital services truly meets the needs of the people it is intended to serve”. He concluded, “Our SOS Daisy Hill Committee will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to secure the future development of Daisy Hill Hospital, our thanks goes out to the magnificent healthcare staff for the brilliant health services they deliver for our residents. We will stand by them in the defence of the health services delivered at Daisy Hill Hospital”
