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The Southern Trust have replied to comments from MLA Justin McNulty published on Newry.ie yesterday regarding staffing and emergency surgery provision. (See MLA highlights Daisy Hill Hospital concerns ) In their reply they say that despite repeated recruitment processes the permanent general surgical staffing complement in Daisy Hill Hospital is currently two out of six posts and that they have become aware of another potential resignation which will stretch the service further.
The Newry and Armagh MLA claims that whistleblowers has brought their concerns regarding services at Daisy Hill Hospital to him.
Concerns included that the provision of emergency surgery at the hospital is under imminent threat. The MLA has also heard concerns around the lack of consultation with staff and stakeholders on the future of Daisy Hill, meaning that if the Department of Health’s plans are implemented, Daisy Hill would be likely to lose QUB medical students, as well as junior doctors, anaesthetists and see just a single consultant surgeon left at the hospital.
In reply a spokesperson for the Southern Trust said “As outlined at our public Trust Board meeting in October and to Mr McNulty on a number of occasions, work is progressing locally and regionally on developing plans for sustainable general emergency and elective surgical services.
“Our Chief Executive has met with Mr McNulty many times over the past year, to very openly discuss this and other issues.
“We have always been very up front in outlining our concerns about recruiting and retaining general consultant surgical posts across Northern Ireland and how in the Southern Trust this is a major risk for our surgical service.
The Trust spokesperson continued “Despite repeated recruitment processes, our permanent general surgical staffing complement in Daisy Hill Hospital is currently two out of six posts and we have now recently become aware of another potential resignation which will stretch the service further. Cover is currently provided by Locums and rotation by Craigavon based staff. In Craigavon, we have two posts unfilled, putting further pressure on an already busy service.
“Whilst we need a solution to secure and maintain the safety of our service in the very immediate term, we also need to think radically about what is a sustainable and progressive surgical model for the future needs of our population.
Concluding the spokesperson added “Our surgical teams are currently working with colleagues across all specialties at both Craigavon and Daisy Hill hospitals to develop proposals which we will discuss through the Daisy Hill Pathfinder Group.
“We appreciate the support of our public representatives in giving us the space to work through this process.”
