Trust and Department of Health 'must show long term commitment to Daisy Hill'

Slieve Gullion Councillor David Taylor believes the proposals presented on Thursday by the Southern Health & Social Care Trust to stabilise services at Daisy Hill Hospital in the midst of staff shortages represent some progress although they can only bee seen as a temporary means of addressing the issues affecting the hospital at present and the Trust and the Department of Health must demonstrate their long term commitment to the facility by developing and implementing a strategic plan to protect and enhance services at Daisy Hill.

Councillor Taylor said “The last number of weeks have been extremely concerning for everyone who cares about Daisy Hill Hospital.  There has been a great deal of uncertainty and worry for staff at the hospital.  The local community has also understandably been anxious about the crisis that has developed and the impact this would have on services at the facility.

“The proposals announced by the Trust which aim to address the urgent issues arising at the hospital represent some progress, however, they are only a temporary short term measure and there is much more work to be done by Health officials to further stabilise services at Daisy Hill.

“I have met over the last number of weeks with the Chief Executive and senior management of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust and Peter May, the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health to outline my concerns about the situation that has evolved at Daisy Hill Hospital.

“I also impressed upon them the need for both the Health Trust and the Department of Health to move immediately towards developing a strategic plan which offers a long term commitment to protecting and enhancing services at Daisy Hill.

“We have an extremely busy and much valued hospital which really hasn’t been given the necessary priority it requires and deserves by Health officials.  It is now therefore incumbent upon them to demonstrate that they are serious about Daisy Hill Hospital remaining a key component of the hospital network in Northern Ireland.

“I will continue to engage with senior Health officials on the development of a long term strategic plan for Daisy Hill Hospital and I know that the entire community will press for the commitment and investment our local hospital needs.”