Trust promises '˜safe sustainable' Daisy Hill A&E department

The Southern Health Trust has said it remains 'fully committed' to delivering safe, sustainable 24/7 emergency services at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry 'for the foreseeable future'.
The Southern Trust promised a plan for Daisy Hills A&E departmentThe Southern Trust promised a plan for Daisy Hills A&E department
The Southern Trust promised a plan for Daisy Hills A&E department

Following a “summit” of health professionals, a statement was released by the trust, saying that a plan would be developed to “address the immediate pressures and look to stabilise the provision of emergency services at Daisy Hill”.

Campaigners have been fighting in recent weeks to retain A&E services at the hospital amid warnings from officials that overnight closures of the emergency department may be unavoidable due to staff shortages.

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The trust said it had secured system-wide support to sustain 24/7 emergency services at Daisy Hill.

Stephen McNally, interim chief executive, said: “The trust remains fully committed to delivering safe, sustainable 24/7 emergency services at Daisy Hill Hospital for the foreseeable future.

“We now have the concerted support, from across the health and social care system, to develop a viable plan that will address the immediate pressures and look to stabilise the provision of emergency services at Daisy Hill.

“This will allow the trust to plan, taking on board the voice of service users through co-production, and co-design, for the future services to meet the health needs of the people in the Newry and Mourne area.”

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A Department of Health spokesperson added: “All attendees at the summit agreed with the department that in light of the clinical need, current size and projected growth of the population of Newry and Mourne, acute services need to be retained there. Work on achieving that regional approach, in a safe and sustainable way, will now gather pace.”

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