Poots disappointed by rundown of A&E at Downe Hospital

Poots disappointed by rundown of A&E at Downe Hospital

HEALTH Minister Edwin Poots said he’s “very disappointed” with the controversial decision to axe early evening and weekend A&E services at the Downe Hospital.

He was speaking at the Downshire Civic Centre in Downpatrick late yesterday afternoon after being presented with petitions containing over 20,000 signatures calling for the return of the emergency services to the local hospital.

The district-wide petition was organised by the Down Community Health Committee and presented to the Minister by Mrs. Anne Trainor who said the local community was “putting its trust in him” to address the A&E issue.

Mr. Poots was at Down Council’s headquarters to meet a special task force comprising MPs, Assembly members and local councillors to discuss the withdrawal of A&E services from the Downpatrick hospital.

Speaking to the Recorder,  Mr. Poots said he has urged the South Eastern Trust to recruit the emergency doctors they require to work in Downpatrick to restore A&E services.

The Minister said a recruitment process undertaken by local health chiefs in January failed to secure any applications, revealing that Trust officials are planning another recruitment drive next month. Mr. Poots said the Trust is also working with local recruitment agencies to secure the medical staff it requires.

The Minister referred to the opening of a minor injuries unit at the Downe Hospital at weekends which is staffed by emergency nurse practitioners, describing the move as a “positive step.”

He continued: “Forty four people on average are using this new service in Downpatrick at the weekend and that is something which is to the good. In addition, the Downe Hospital is admitting somewhere in the region of nine people every weekend which is slightly more than prior to the emergency department closing.”

Mr. Poots said a wide range of services continue to be provided at the Downe in terms of emergency care, conceding that a full blown emergency department is not in place at the Downe at weekends.

“I understand and appreciate that this is what people in Down District want,” he continued, admitting the problems which resulted in the downgrading of A&E services in Downpatrick are not easy to solve.

“Prior to coming to Downpatrick this afternoon I had discussions around the potential of bringing doctors over from India and Nepal.

“That again is difficult as a result of EU regulations which have come in over the course of the past number of years. This has previously been a source of quite a lot of junior doctors for us and ensured we were able to have the requisite staff available,” the Minister continued.

Mr. Poots said the A&E recruitment issue is one that extends right across Britain and the Republic of Ireland, admitting this fact will be of little comfort to the people of Down District. He said he knows of some health trusts which only have 16 pr cent of the number of training doctors they require.

“This is not solely a Northern Ireland problem albeit it is for us to try and resolve our own issues. What is important for us is to provide the maximum amount of care for people,” he continued.

Mr. Poots added: “We have a lovely new hospital in Downpatrick and a series of additional services have been provided here. There is also greater connectivity between the Downe and the Ulster Hospital which 

allows specialists to come here and provide a service locally. I think that that needs further developed so this service is maximised.”

South Down MP, Margaret Ritchie, told Mr. Poots yesterday that local politicians, hospital campaigners and the community want the restoration of doctor-led, 24-hour A&E services at the Downe Hospital. She said there must be no “ifs or buts” about the issue.