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Newry City Councillor Michael Savage has accused the Southern Health Trust of ‘breath-taking hypocrisy’ by refusing to travel to meet Councillors face-to-face on Monday evening to interrogate the threat to vital health services at Daisy Hill Hospital.
Councillor Savage said: “On June 5 Councillors unanimously passed an emergency motion I proposed at the monthly meeting calling on the Trust to come before us to confront the current crisis at Daisy Hill. They have offered to join the meeting via ZOOM and used the excuse that meeting online would ‘avoid any extra travel time.’
“This is breath-taking hypocrisy from a Trust that has no problem expecting the most vulnerable citizens across the rural parts of our district to put up with ‘extra travel time’ to reach urgent health services.
“A 55 minute journey from Craigavon to Downpatrick pales into insignificance when you compare it to the travel time they expect very ill local people to travel from places like Culloville and Annalong for essential healthcare.”
Cllr Savage continued “The Trust need to get real and get a grip on this crisis. Did they not see the thousands of people who took to the streets on Sunday to express their fears for Daisy Hill and their fury at the poor management that has jeopardised essential medical services.
“We need to hold the Trust to account and that is why we need them in front of us answering difficult questions from the elected representatives on behalf of the thousands of people who took to the streets in protest at the weekend.
He added “Council is the only form of local democracy that is functioning here and the Trust need to come before the people’s representatives to answer for their failings. The Trust cannot be allowed to hide behind a screen or a dodgy WiFi connection."
The Newry City public representative believes the Trust need to turn up in person at the meeting planned for Monday to allow Councillors to interrogate their plans to get Daisy Hill, its staff and its patients, through this crisis and safeguard the hospital for future generations.
Cllr Savage concluded “This is too serious. Daisy Hill must be protected. Our lives depend on it.”
The motion passed at the June full council meeting was seconded by Cllr David Taylor. It said 'That Council request an urgent meeting with Directors and management of the Southern Health Trust to discuss their future and emergency plans for the retention and enhancement of services at Daisy Hill Hospital.' The meeting is organised at Downshire Civic Centre for 5pm this coming Monday 3 July.
