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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s “no brainer” plan to provide its HQ building for hospital expansion is to be made public as a matter of “priority”.
The Newry Council offices are currently based on Monaghan Row just yards from Daisy Hill hospital.
The council, which also has offices in Downshire Civic Centre in Downpatrick, is planning a £20m new-build in Newry city centre, which will create an opening for its old chambers to be acquired by the Southern Trust
Crotlieve councillor, Gerry O’Hare (SF) brought forward the motion to council.
It read: “This council 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.”
He added: “This is a no brainer decision and I am glad we are all on the same page. Hopefully this will come about soon enough.”
Health Minister Robin Swann (UUP) recently announced that Daisy Hill hospital will become an Elective Overnight Stay Centre for patients requiring intermediate complexity surgery with an overnight stay.
However, Slieve Gullion councillor, David Taylor (UUP) put forward an amendment to the motion to clarify that the acquisition of the Monaghan Row site was not crucial for the new elective centre.
“The wording of the motion should be for the overall development of Daisy Hill and not to suggest that is required for the elective overnight stay, as that is not the case.
“I do support Monaghan Row being developed for the Southern Trust.”
Emotive backing for the motion was heard from, Mourne councillor, Glyn Hanna (DUP) saying: “My own father passed away as Daisy Hill some three to four months ago and had great care from all the staff there.
“I know how much pressure they are under in Daisy Hill. Monaghan Row would substantially increase the service delivered at Daisy Hill.”
A date for the plans to be made public has yet to be made.
MLA Justin McNulty has welcomed the move which he sees as a massive opportunity fot the hospital.
Mr McNulty said “This is a massive opportunity for expansion at Daisy Hill Hospital and it is an opportunity that needs to be grasped with both hands. For decades now, investment in Daisy Hill has lagged behind that at Craigavon. It is time to put that right.
“What we need to see now is a significant investment from the Department of Health and the Southern Trust to capitalise on the opportunity for expansion. We need to see our hospital extended and expanded, with an investment in an ICU at Daisy Hill, an increase in the overall number beds at the hospital, and an expanded HDU capacity. This will serve to build confidence and will anchor surgeons, anaesthetists, and other specialists at Daisy Hill.
He concluded “Newry, South Armagh and South Down has a substantial and significantly growing population. Daisy Hill’s level of services and capacity needs to reflect that reality and look to future with the ambition of becoming a hub hospital on the eastern seaboard of this island serving its entire natural hinterland. I will continue to work alongside our trade unions, the Daisy Hill Future Group, the Daisy Hill Action Group, all parties and our local community to see the full potential our of hospital realised.”
MLA Liz Kimmins believes the move is a positive step for the future of Daisy Hill Hospital.
“The purchase of the Monaghan Row office site by the Southern Trust is another step in securing the future of Daisy Hill Hospital.
“The purchase of this site could allow services such as hospital admin and the Medical Training Unit to relocate to the Monaghan row site, freeing up more clinical space.
“This space could potentially be used for new diagnostic equipment, including a fully equipped MRI/CT scanning suite following investment to upgrade the hospital’s power supply."
