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A report released on Friday, 26 April from the Daisy Hill Hospital Expert Panel has detailed their findings around implementing stability plans at the hospital. Findings included increased stability of the medical workforce as well as more patients being treated at the Elective Overnight Surgical Centre. Newry.ie decided to go on to the streets of Newry to ask people how they feel about the current state of Daisy Hill Hospital and how it is being treated.
We chatted to Newry residents about what they think about Daisy Hill and how important it is. “It is absolutely essential for the wider area of Newry, Mourne, Crossmaglen, Kilkeel everywhere” says Gary Ferris, “Whatever political sectarian decision is made to concentrate on Craigavon is absolutely scandalous and there is no sensible reason for it other than let's get Craigavon to be the hub of everything and to-hell with Newry”.
The people of Newry have often shown great support for Daisy Hill with many events such as fundraisers and marches through the streets, “What more can they do? They have been doing their best” he said, adding “The Southern Health board does not want to listen, it's determined to ignore all the opinions of the local people”.
When asked what he though about local councils actions to try and help Daisy Hill Gary had this to say “They don’t seem to be doing a lot at the moment, they’re very quiet about the subject most of the time and now that Sinn Fein and the Unionists are back in Stormont surely Sinn Fein can exert some sort of pressure on the health ministry to do something about it”
When asked about the importance Daisy Hill had to her and the local community Natalie Mitchell had this to say, “I’ve had four kids now, so pretty important” She added “Not even just having kids, you need a hospital sure where is the next one? Craigavon, Belfast, I don’t know what Newry people would do without a hospital”.
Val Lundy had this to say about the importance of Daisy Hill “In my mind it is very important for the future of Newry to have a hospital” When asked about how local council is handling Daisy Hill Hospital Val had this to say “Don’t get me started on the council, all they are thinking about is this that and the other, they should be fighting for the hospital it’s a priority”.
“Its ridiculous even thinking of closing it” said Val “Hopefully it will be there for my grandchildren and my great grandchildren”.
Another person who didn't want to be named had this to say about Daisy Hill “I think it should be open for stroke patients and people that are ill, so they don’t have to go to these places like Craigavon or Belfast, it's convenient for people”.
When asked about the findings in the report released today on how the medical workforce in Daisy Hill has seemingly improved, they said “It’s a bit of hope”.
Clearly Daisy Hill Hospital is viewed as crucial by the people of Newry and they continue to show their love and support for it in many ways and they will undoubtedly continue to try and fight and use their voice for their local hospital.
