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Legal action has been initiated on the Southern Trust against its decision to move maternity services from Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry to Craigavon Hospital.
Currently it is planned to move Elective C Section procedures to Craigavon from this Monday 9 November with full consolidation of maternity services to Craigavon on Monday 23 November. The Trust claims this is a temporary measure but there is major concern that once removed from Daisy Hill the services will not return, as in the case of Stroke Services and Emergency General Surgery which were also billed as 'temporary' removals.
Phoenix Law have initiated the legal action against the Southern Trust following a submission from their client, an expectant mother. The decision was rubber stamped by the Southern Trust Board at a meeting in Newry on Tuesday 3 November.
Jack Murphy from Phoenix Law who is acting for the client said "We have initiated this legal action following the large public demonstration in Newry from all those who hope to retain services at Daisy Hill Hospital. We have heard from many persons in the Newry, South Armagh and South Down areas who have relied on Daisy Hill Hospital to deliver this vital service. Our client herself fears the fact that she is now expected to travel to Craigavon should she go into labour. Many parents have stepped forward to explain how this journey was not feasible in their time of need."
