McNulty raises Daisy Hill maternity services at Stormont protest

Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty attended the SOS Rural Hospital Protest at Stormont on Monday past 26 October. The protest was organised by hospital campaign groups to hand a letter to the Minister of Health outlining their concerns about the removal of services from rural hospitals including Daisy Hill. McNulty used the occasion to call for maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital to be protected and maintained. The Southern Trust have indicated that maternity services may be moved 'temporarily' to Craigavon Hospital in November.

Speaking at the protest, the Newry and Armagh MLA said everyone at the Executive table has a part to play in protecting services for mothers and babies in Newry, South Armagh and South Down.

“This is a cross-cutting issue, where all Departments and everybody who sits at the Executive table, including the First Ministers, have the responsibility to ensure maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital are protected and maintained. Mothers and babies in Newry, South Armagh, and South Down deserve nothing less than safe maternity services close to home, and the jobs of the 80 members of staff impacted at Daisy Hill Hospital need to be supported to ensure mothers and babies get this vital care they need.”

McNulty also raised concerns about the effect on Craigavon Area Hospital and on expectant mothers, and criticised the way changes are being presented.

“We’re told two things: patient safety and transformation. Transformation by collapse is what we’re all experiencing, and we’re seeing the road map being used in different hospitals. It’s not acceptable and we will fight that at every step of the way. Medical and surgical wards at Craigavon Area Hospital will be directly impacted as a result of up to 1,700 births per year being moved from one hospital to another. Where is the patient safety in relation to medical and surgical services at Craigavon Area Hospital? It doesn’t always fit the script. There are huge questions as well in relation to patient safety for expectant mothers who are being forced to travel an hour further on a bad roads network.”