Getting stuck in for the Downe

Getting stuck in for the Downe

24 June 2015

HEALTH campaigners have launched a new car sticker campaign as part of their continuing offensive in support of the beleaguered Downe Hospital.

The campaign was launched by South Down MP Margaret Ritchie in the same week as the Down Community Health Committee marked the official opening of the £64m hospital five years ago.

Last Friday morning, campaigners presented an anniversary cake to hospital staff in recognition of their efforts to continue delivering a first class health service for people across the district, despite savage cuts imposed by health administrators.

The campaign launch took place just hours before campaigners took part in a white line protest in Downpatrick town centre as part of their opposition to the removal of 24-hour accident and emergency services from the Downe and the closure of the hospital’s dedicated coronary care unit.

Miss Ritchie, who also met privately with campaigners several hours after Friday’s launch, said the new car sticker acts as a timely reminder that the new Downe opened in 2009.

She continued: “There is a compelling need for Health Minister Simon Hamilton, the Health and Social Care  Board and South Eastern Trust to ensure the enhanced local hospital which was not only promised but approved through a business case in 2003, is fully developed to cater for the medical and health needs of the local population.  

“The new Downe was provided on the twin pillars of equity of access to local services and the local accessibility of services delivered at the point of need. Those principles need to be fulfilled at an early opportunity, that is the challenge for Minister Hamilton and one which he needs to heed and fulfil.”

Miss Ritchie said the Downe had significant medical technology and accommodation to provide additional services through clinical networking for the people of Down and Mourne. She said this would ensure the fulfilment of the principle of local accessibility to services delivered at the point of need.  

The MP added: “I will be continuing to press Mr Hamilton to ensure existing services are sustained and that A&E and coronary care beds which were removed on a temporary basis to obviate the need for consultation are reinstated and that new services are provided.”

Campaigners lobbying for the return of 24-hour A&E provision and the reopening of the coronary care ward want politicians at Stormont to do all they can to ensure this happens at the “people’s hospital.”

Last week, campaigners met with Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at Stormont to discuss the withdrawal of services from the Downe.

Mr. McGuinness, who accepted an invitation to visit Downpatrick, said he was conscious of the issues at the Downe and highlighted the success of the Love the Downe rally organised by hospital campaigners last February which brought 20,000 people on to the streets of Downpatrick in support of the hospital.

Campaigners also hope to arrange a meeting with First Minister Peter Robinson on the issues facing the Downe.

Community health committee member Anne Trainor said campaigners will meet with all politicians to drive home the need for the Downe Hospital not to provide the services it had 30 years ago, but those that were in place just 18 months ago.

“We have already met with a number of senior politicians and will talk to anyone whom we believe can have the Downe issued raised at the Northern Ireland Executive table. People would expect nothing less of us. Services have been cut and bed numbers reduced and people have had enough,” she said.

Mrs Trainor said campaigners were also delighted to hear the first performance of a new song about the Downe Hospital performed at their meeting last week by Downpatrick singer/songwriter Travis McVeigh. Entitled Stay Open, it can be viewed on YouTube.

A white line protest in support of the Downe Hospital campaign is being staged outside Ballynahinch Market House this Saturday at 11.30am. Car stickers will also be distributed.