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A public meeting has been called for Newry over the likely suspension of maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital. The meeting will take place at the Canal Court Hotel on Thursday 1 October at 7pm and everyone is invited to attend.
The SOS Daisy Hill Campaign Committee has condemned the announcement by the Southern Trust and has raised concerns about the effect the suspension will have on expectant mothers, families, healthcare workers and communities in Newry, Mourne, South Armagh and the surrounding rural areas. The decision follows the earlier removal of emergency surgery at Daisy Hill Hospital, which has already raised concerns locally about the future of services there.
The public meeting will give people the chance to hear the latest information on the proposed suspension and the future of maternity care at Daisy Hill, and to raise concerns directly. The committee is encouraging expectant mothers, families, healthcare workers, trade union representatives, political representatives and community organisations to attend.
Eddy Curtis, speaking on behalf of the SOS Daisy Hill Committee, said the decision to suspend maternity services was "another devastating blow to the people of Newry, Mourne, South Armagh and surrounding communities."
"Following the removal of emergency surgery, our community is once again being asked to accept the loss of another essential hospital service," Curtis said. "We recognise the workforce challenges facing the Southern Trust, but we cannot accept that suspension is the only available option. Every possible avenue must be explored to recruit consultants, secure additional medical cover and maintain maternity services at Daisy Hill."
Curtis said the committee was calling on the Health Minister Robbie Butler "to do everything within his power to keep maternity services open" and was also calling on all political parties to unite behind the demand and ensure Daisy Hill Hospital was not further deprived of essential healthcare services.
"The people of this region deserve parity of esteem in healthcare provision. Expectant mothers and families should not be forced to travel further than necessary to access maternity care," he said. "The SOS Daisy Hill Committee will continue to campaign vigorously against this suspension. This is a critical moment for the future of Daisy Hill Hospital, and we cannot afford to remain silent."
Francis Gallagher, from the SOS Daisy Hill committee, said the whole community needed to mobilise to stop a proposed temporary suspension becoming permanent. "Our SOS committee have continually highlighted that all the acute pillars of a hospital are interdependent. So if maternity falls then eventually our A&E will collapse too. Without these crucial services the consequences don't bear thinking about," Gallagher said.
The committee is urging the public to attend the meeting to demonstrate the strength of local feeling on the issue. The meeting, titled Save Daisy Hill Maternity Services, takes place at the Canal Court Hotel, Newry, on Thursday 1 October 2026 at 7pm.
