MP to press Hamilton over Downe Hospital

MP to press Hamilton over Downe Hospital

17 February 2016

THE case for reinstating 24-hour emergency services at the Downe Hospital is to be raised with Stormont Health Minister Simon Hamilton by Strangford MP Jim Shannon.

Mr Shannon met with senior members of the Down Community Health Committee last week to listen to their concerns about the decision by the South Eastern Trust to axe 24-hour A&E services at the Downe and close the hospital’s dedicated coronary care unit. Both decisions have been described as “temporary.”

The Strangford MP was the latest in a line of politicians to meet with hospital campaigners and visit the Downe ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections. Mr Shannon was joined by DUP councillors Billy Walker, Glynn Hanna, Garth Craig and Harry Harvey.

A keen supporter of the Downe, Mr Shannon confirmed he is seeking an early meeting with the Minister to discuss the future of the hospital which he wants to see retained at the heart of the rural community.

“My visit today reinforces the facts we already know. I was here the day the hospital opened and have been back several times since. The question is can we better utilise the services that are here for the benefit of the community? That is what I will be asking the Health Minister,” he continued.

“The loss of 24-hour A&E services and the closure of the dedicated coronary care ward will undoubtedly be two of the issues I will be raising with the minister. The expectations of the Downe Hospital were encouraging and great for the community when it opened but it has not been able to deliver in very difficult financial times and I understand that. I think we have to utilise the services here better. “

Mr Shannon said the Downe has excellent staff who work in a modern building, suggesting the focus needs to be on how best to utilise the services it provides for the local community. The MP  also conceded while there is a need to centralise a number of specialist hospital services, including cancer care, there are those which can be delivered locally. 

Mr Shannon said he is aware of the congestion which arises at emergency departments at hospitals in the Belfast area and agrees that utilising the emergency department more at the Downe could help ease the pressure.

He added: “If you have to pass the Downe and go to the Ulster in Dundonald or the Royal or the City in Belfast, this in my opinion seems illogical. Given this district is a dispersed, rural area and the distance to Daisy Hill in Newry and the Ulster, we should be looking at a review of how we can best deliver emergency services in Downpatrick for the whole area.”

Mr McGrady said he was delighted the Strangford MP and some of his party colleagues could meet with him and Mrs Trainor and visit the Downe Hospital on Monday.

He continued: “We are absolutely delighted Mr Shannon and four DUP councillors came to see at first hand the hidden gem that is the Downe Hospital. We have discussed with Mr Shannon how we look forward to the day when the hospital’s vision is fulfilled to meet the needs of the community.”