Motion calls for council to go public on plans for transfer of Council Offices

A Newry based council could be set to go public on a major transfer of its headquarters to the Southern Trust as its eyes a new £20m civic centre.

Newry Mourne and Down District Council currently based on Monaghan Row in the border city will bring forward a notice of motion next week to “make public its plan to facilitate the transfer”.

Health Minister Robin Swann (UUP) recently announced that Daisy Hill hospital, located just yards away from the council, will become an Elective Overnight Stay Centre for patients requiring intermediate complexity surgery with an overnight stay.

The health strategy covering a population from south Down to Mid Ulster,  could now rely on the Southern Trust gaining the local authority building to develop the new elective centre.

NMDDC also has plans to move from Monaghan Row to a new state of the art civic centre yet to be built in the city.

The motion from Crotlieve councillor Gerry O’Hare (SF) states: ”That this council acknowledges the announcement on the 19th October 2022, by the then Health Minister, Robin Swann that Daisy Hill hospital would become an Elective Overnight Stay Centre for patients requiring intermediate complexity surgery with an overnight stay.

“Accepts that this announcement demonstrates the confidence of the Minister, Department of Health and clinicians that Daisy Hill hospital can provide this regional service and improve access and reduce waiting times for planned elective surgical care for the people of Newry, Mourne, south Armagh and Down.

“Further accepts that key to implementing plans to make Daisy Hill an Overnight Elective Stay Centre will require acquisition of the Monaghan Row council site.

“Commits as a matter of priority, to make public its plan to facilitate the transfer of the Monaghan Row site to the Southern Trust, so that Daisy Hill can join the Elective Care Centre model and play an important role in tackling our lengthy waiting lists and improving outcomes for our patients.”

The notice of motion will be brought before NMDDC next Monday.