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Newry and Armagh MLA Liz Kimmins has said work must continue to strengthen and secure the future of Daisy Hill Hospital following a meeting with the Southern Trust Chief Executive and senior management team.
Kimmins acknowledged progress made in recent years but said the focus must now shift from stabilisation to building long-term resilience. "In recent years, Daisy Hill has faced significant challenges in recruiting and retaining staff, which has impacted the delivery of key services, including General Medicine and Maternity," she said.
"Through collaborative work involving Sinn Féin, the Daisy Hill Future Group and the Southern Trust, these services have been stabilised and protected. However, we must now move beyond stabilisation and focus on enhancing capacity and building long-term resilience across services."
The MLA said she and colleague Dáire Hughes MP engage regularly with Southern Trust leadership and that at their latest meeting she pressed for a more ambitious approach to recruitment and retention, particularly in maternity services.
"I welcome the fact that a number of options are being explored by the Trust, including cross-border opportunities, which have the potential to support and strengthen the future of our hospital."
Kimmins said she and her colleagues would continue working with the Department of Health, the Southern Trust, the Daisy Hill Future Group and the wider community to ensure Daisy Hill reaches its full potential and continues to deliver for people in Newry, South Armagh, South Down and Louth.
