Write a commentMPs Chris Hazzard and Mickey Brady have said the clear message coming from a public consultation meeting in Newry on the future of stroke services is that the consultation process is flawed and should be halted.
Speaking after the meeting in Newry on Tuesday South Down MP, Chris Hazzard said:
"The local community raised huge concerns about this consultation process on the future of stroke services, regarding it as having a predetermined outcome and offering no workable proposals for the people of South Down and Newry and Armagh.
"The Department of Health has failed to understand the geography of the area and consider a north-south option for the future of stroke services.
"All of this has severely undermined public confidence in the consultation process and it should now be halted as it does not offer any suggestions that would improve health outcomes for people in the area."
Newry and Armagh MP Mickey Brady said "It is essential that any plans to reshape stroke services must be carried out in a regionally balanced way, in partnership with those who use and deliver services and with the objective of improved health outcomes for patients at its heart.
“The proposal to locate the Hyper Acute Unit in Craigavon doesn’t make sense. Craigavon catchment area is 15/20 minutes from the Royal Hospital in Belfast while Daisy Hill serves an isolated population in South Armagh/South Down.
"The location of Daisy Hill could also ensure services are available on a cross-Border basis and that should be an option in any consultation."
