Plan could see no babies born at Daisy Hill Hospital
A temporary contingency plan could see no babies born in the maternity department at Daisy Hill Hospital, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust has said.
The trust cited “medical workforce pressures” for the potential move but said its intention is to maintain inpatient maternity services at the site in Newry.
It said it has not been able to recruit consultant obstetricians to fill vacancies and is preparing to temporarily move inpatient maternity services to Craigavon Area Hospital.
Trade union Unison has raised “serious concerns” over the plans.
The trust said there had been a number of “consultant obstetrician retirements and resignations”.
A statement said: “Despite sustained recruitment efforts across the UK and internationally, the trust has not yet been able to recruit sufficient consultants to fill these vacancies.
“This reflects a wider shortage of consultant obstetricians across Northern Ireland and the UK.”
Chief executive Steve Spoerry said: “The Minister of Health, Robbie Butler, has asked the wider Northern Ireland health and social care system to explore what support may be available to help maintain inpatient maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital.
“We welcome this intervention and are actively engaging with system partners, while continuing our recruitment efforts.”
“While we work with colleagues across the system to explore every available option, it is responsible and necessary that we also develop a contingency plan.
“This would include the temporary consolidation of all births and inpatient maternity care at Craigavon Area Hospital, should that become necessary to maintain safe care for women and babies.”
The trust said it would work closely with the Department of Health and Public Health Agency as the plans are developed.
Mr Spoerry continued: “We are providing this update now because we are committed to communicating openly and transparently with pregnant women, staff and the wider public.”
James Large, Unison regional organiser, said: “This comes at a time when Northern Ireland has the highest infant mortality rate in the UK.
“We have also heard health ministers speak about misogyny within medicine and the need to place a much greater focus on women’s health.
“Health inequalities for people in rural communities are also exacerbated by the removal of services like this.”
Sinn Fein MLA Liz Kimmins has urged the Health Minister to do all he can to address the situation.
She said: “The maternity service at Daisy Hill is facing an immediate crisis.
“The fragility of the service has been clear for some time, including the temporary redirection to Craigavon in June.
“For months, we have been working with the Southern Trust, health ministers and the local community to find a safe solution.
“Every effort must now be made to recruit the clinical staff needed, including support from other trusts and, where possible, across the island of Ireland.”