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The SOS Daisy Hill Committee has raised serious concerns about the future of stroke services and hospital provision in the Southern Trust area, following a response from the Minister for Health that the Committee says fails to address a number of critical issues affecting patients in Newry, South Armagh and South Down. The Committee has requested a further meeting with the Minister to discuss the matters in detail.
While the Committee has welcomed continued engagement with the Northern Ireland Assembly Health Committee, it says the Minister's correspondence has left key questions unanswered. Chief among these is the impact of proposed service changes on rural communities across the Newry area and beyond.
A spokesperson for the Committee said: "We are extremely concerned that the Department of Health has not demonstrated any consideration of the Rural Needs Act. Centralising stroke services at Craigavon Area Hospital will have a disproportionate impact on rural communities, where travelling times are significantly longer and, in many cases, life-critical."
The Committee has also pointed to concerns about the current performance of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, warning that delays in emergency response times could place stroke patients at greater risk if services are removed from Daisy Hill Hospital. "Stroke treatment is time-sensitive. Any additional delay caused by longer travel distances or ambulance pressures could have devastating consequences for patients and their families," the spokesperson said.
The Committee is seeking clarity on the Minister's reference to a further review of stroke services, including when it will be completed and whether it will involve a full public consultation.
Separately, the Committee has again raised concerns about the Review of Emergency General Surgery led by Professor Mark Taylor. Despite commitments within the Terms of Reference for a 12-week public consultation, the Committee states there is no evidence that such a consultation ever took place.
Francis Gallagher, Chairman of the SOS Daisy Hill Committee, said: "This raises serious questions about transparency and accountability. Communities were promised a voice in decisions that directly affect them, and that promise does not appear to have been honoured."
The Committee has also argued that opportunities for cross-border healthcare cooperation are not being fully explored, pointing to the success of existing cross-border services already operating at Daisy Hill Hospital. It has called for a dedicated strategic team to be established to examine further collaborative possibilities, particularly for communities along the border.
Eddy Curtis of the SOS Daisy Hill Committee said: "If the Department is serious about delivering the best outcomes for patients, it must fully explore cross-border solutions, particularly for border communities who are most affected by service changes."
The Committee has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting services at Daisy Hill Hospital and is calling on the Minister to engage directly with local representatives and the wider community.
Mary Luckie of the SOS Daisy Hill Committee said: "This is about fairness, safety, and ensuring that all communities particularly rural ones have access to timely, life-saving healthcare. We will continue to advocate strongly on behalf of the people we represent."
