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Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has said the Health Minister must do all he can to address the crisis facing maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital. The Newry Armagh MLA was speaking after yesterday's Save Daisy Hill maternity services demonstration. She said every effort must now be made to recruit the clinical staff needed.
Kimmins described the situation at the hospital as an emergency. She said: “The maternity service at Daisy Hill is facing an immediate crisis.”
Speaking about the demonstration, she said: “Today the local community and representatives of all parties came together; the message was clear, the maternity services at Daisy Hill must be protected.”
The Newry Armagh MLA said work on the issue has been going on for some time. She said: “For months, we have been working with the Southern Trust, Health Ministers and the local community to find a safe solution.”
Kimmins spoke of a meeting she and her colleagues had with the Health Minister last week. "Dáire Hughes MP, Aoife Finnegan MLA and I had a lengthy meeting with Health Minister Robbie Butler and his senior officials, along with representatives of the Daisy Hill Future Group, SOS Daisy Hill and a cross-party delegation of elected representatives this afternoon.
"We had a very robust discussion where we raised the grave concerns facing Daisy Hill maternity services and reiterated the need for everything possible to be done to avoid a suspension of this vital service."
On the staffing needed, Kimmins said: “Every effort must now be made to recruit the clinical staff needed, including support from other Trusts and, where possible, across the island of Ireland.”
She added: “Sinn Féin remains determined to ensure an urgent solution is found and will continue to work with everyone in the days and weeks ahead to make sure Daisy Hill keeps delivering for local families.
“I will continue speaking up for them and ensure they have the best possible care at Daisy Hill.”
