Write a comment
Daisy Hill Hospital campaigning group Save or Emergency Services has changed its name at a meeting held on Wednesday 7th June to SOS Daisy Hill, coinciding with the announcement of reported measures recommended by the The Southern Health and Social Services Trust to reduce medical services and reduce the number of patient beds at Daisyhill Hospital Newry.
The group made a visit to Stormont today to bring their protest to Civil Service headquarters and have a larger public rally planned later this month in Newry.
Francis Gallagher Chairman of SOS Daisy Hill stated at a recent packed meeting, “I was astounded at the anger displayed at the Public Meeting tonight regarding the recently announced reduction in medical services and inpatient beds at Daisy Hill Hospital. People are rightly very concerned.' He continued, “ I attended the Public Consultation on the proposed Transfer of Emergency Surgery from Daisy Hill to Craigavon Area Hospital when major positive announcements were made on proposed future developments at Daisy Hill and no mention was made about the recently detailed reduction in medical services. I am shocked and dismayed by the actions of the Trust, which in my view has been very poorly thought out and brings serious implications for the health of communities in Newry, South Down and South Armagh Areas. The lack of proper communication on the Trust’s proposals has shocked our community and my heart goes out to the staff at the hospital who have provided fantastic health care to our community for decades and find themselves in the complete dark regarding their future employment in the health sector.”
Gallagher concluded, “ My Committee and myself will do all we can to get theses proposals stopped and allow time for proper consultation on these poorly thought out actions. We will also be requesting again that a full independent investigation be commissioned into how the management of Daisy Hill Hospital was carried out.
