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The SOS Daisy Hill Committee has raised serious concerns about the Department of Health's recent Consultation Paper on Hospital Reconfiguration in Northern Ireland. During a meeting on 16 January the committee expressed particular dismay over Daisy Hill Hospital's designation as a General Hospital rather than an Area Hospital.
At the meeting the committee emphasised that Daisy Hill Hospital serves a vast catchment area including Newry, South Down, South Armagh, and counties in the Republic of Ireland. They also highlighted the hospital's successful provision of Renal Services to Counties Louth, Monaghan, and Cavan, suggesting that similar cross-border opportunities could be expanded.
Of particular concern to the group is the potential impact on health inequalities in the region. The consultation paper's own deprivation map identifies Newry and Mourne as one of Northern Ireland's most deprived districts, raising questions about how the proposed changes might affect healthcare accessibility.
The committee has formally requested that a public consultation meeting be held in Newry with the currently planned sole meeting in Armagh posing significant accessibility challenges for many residents, particularly the elderly and those dependent on public transport.
Key risks identified by the committee include staffing challenges, recruitment difficulties in less accessible areas, potential workforce burnout, and geographical inequalities affecting rural patients. They also raised concerns about ambulance service capacity and public transport limitations.
At the meeting's conclusion, SOS Daisy Hill Committee Francis Gallagher stated: "Our committee reviewed the Reconfiguration of Hospitals in the N. Ireland Consultation paper and felt there was a lack of evidence based data to complete a full response at this stage. The Review seems similar to Reviews of Hospitals in N. Ireland carried out by the Dept of Health over the past number of decades, which in reality had little or no impact on the quality of our Health Services. We will request further detailed information from the Department before completing our reply to the consultation. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all current health staff for their dedication and excellent health care during these difficult times. In conclusion I urge the Minister to reconsider his decision to only hold a Public Consultation in Armagh City and ask him to convene as a matter of urgency a Public Consultation in Newry to allow our voices to be heard."
The committee has called for unified support from all local and national political, private sector, and voluntary groups in their campaign to have Daisy Hill Hospital redesignated as an Area Hospital.
