Across the board support for emergency hospital motion

Across the board support for emergency hospital motion

8 July 2020

LOCAL politicians have called for the immediate restoration of all services which were removed from the Downe Hospital at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

There was across-the-board political support for an emergency motion on the issue tabled at Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s first meeting in three months on Monday evening.

Concern is mounting that A&E services have not yet been restored after the South Eastern Trust said that it hoped to confirm a date for the reinstatement by the end of July.

The emergency motion — tabled by Downpatrick councillors John Trainor and Oonagh Hanlon — called for the immediate reinstatement of emergency services and for Stormont health minister Robin Swann to ensure that this happens. Politicians are also seeking an urgent meeting with Mr Swann.

Councillors say they recognise the “tireless dedication” and hard work of all the NHS staff during the continuing pandemic, expressing regret that no return date has been confirmed for A&E services and that the introduction of a new seven day minor injuries service was not discussed with the local community.

Also on Monday night, politicians expressed concern about emergency ambulance cover across the South Down area.

Cllr Trainor said it was “regrettable” that the motion had to be tabled and urged the health minister to intervene.

He said that as part of the health trust’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, it made what it described as “temporary changes” to service delivery at the Downe, changes which the public accepted and supported, recognising the dangers the virus posed.

“Over recent weeks, many elected representatives asked the health trust to provide them with a date about the return of services,” said Cllr Trainor.

“We have seen other health trusts bring forward plans for the phases return of services, with the Southern Trust recently giving an indicative date for the return of A&E provision at Newry’s Daisy Hill. 

“Last Friday, members of this council’s health working group were told that a date for the return of A&E services to the Downe could not be given and were informed by the South Eastern Trust that its plans were based on the so-called regional strategic framework. 

“However, the health minister has said that the return of services are decisions for each individual health trust.”

Cllr Trainor said that for three months, there has been no emergency cover at the Downe or Daisy Hill hospitals, describing the absence of a date for their return in Downpatrick as a “slap in the face” for the public which backed the temporary reconfiguration of services to tackle the global pandemic.

“We were told that services would be phased back, beginning with the minor injuries unit which only gave rise to suspicion that the local health trust would not honour the assurances it gave previously as there was no firm date for the return of A&E provision,” he declared.

Cllr Trainor added: “Given the timeline of events until now it is important that the health minister makes a commitment to local people that he will work with those within his department and the South Eastern Trust Trust to ensure the full reintroduction of services at the Downe as soon as possible. This is what is now required to restore public confidence.”

Cllr Hanlon said it was “regrettable” that the South Eastern Heath Trust had not been able to provide a date for the restoration of emergency services at the Downe.

“It is concerning that neither hospital staff, local representatives nor the local community was consulted about the introduction of a seven day a week day minor injuries service,” she continued.

“The health minister needs to fulfil his obligation to the people of South Down and provide a target date for the reinstatement of A&E services at the Downpatrick hospital.”