Write a commentThe appointment of a newly trained Emergency Doctor at Daisy Hill Hospital has been welcomed by MLA. Justin McNulty. The appointment was confirmed by Dr Anne Marie Telford who is leading the Daisy Hill Pathfinder Group, a group set up after suggestions were made that the Daisy Hill Emergency Department could close. At one stage it was claimed there were difficulties in attracting suitably qualified staff to the Daisy Hill Emergency Department and that weekend emergencies potentially might have had to go to Craigavon Hospital instead.
Mr McNulty said, ‘This news is very welcome and I want to thank Dr Telford and her team for all their work so far in seeking a long term sustainable future for the 24/7 service at Daisy Hill’s Emergency Department. Dr Telford has been working closely with the Southern Trust, the Chamber of Commerce, the Save Daisy Hill Action Group and the local community to ensure we have a strategic plan in place and the recruitment of staff has been key element of that plan.’
‘Daisy Hill is a very important acute hospital in our community and there has been significant investment in infrastructure over the last number of years. I am keen to see that investment continue and at the same time a sustained drive must continue to recruit the appropriately qualified staff for the services we need.’
‘Emergency Departments across these islands have continued to experience difficulties in recruiting Emergency Doctors and Consultants but I firmly believe that Daisy Hill is one of the most appealing places to work with its position on the Eastern Economic Corridor and access to Belfast and Dublin and the AONBs of Gullion and Mourne. It is a small but busy hospital with its Emergency Department is getting busier. Daisy Hill ED has very strong support from the local community with people power playing a big part in encouraging the Trust to act to recruit and appoint suitably qualified medics. Huge credit must also go to the Daisy Hill Action Group and The Newry Chamber of Commerce for their efforts to assist the Trust in the recruitment process. I am delighted with the news of this appointment and I understand the new Doctor will take up post in January.’
‘This success is only the beginning and we want to see more Emergency Doctors recruited. Dr Telford and her team have been very open and engaging with elected representatives throughout the process and with the local community as well. I also want to acknowledge the very positive role the local community have played in getting to this stage. Their very strong support for Daisy Hill hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Southern Trust and I believe that their huge support for the Emergency Department played a significant role in Dr Telford and her team being appointed in the first place. Their continued support for Daisy Hill will be vital as this process moves forward.’
