Politicians castigate Minister for shunning visit to Downe

Politicians castigate Minister for shunning visit to Downe

5 October 2016

HEALTH minister Michelle O’Neill has been criticised for declining an invitation from local politicians to visit the Downe Hospital.

Politicians issued the invitation in August after the Minister said there will be no change in policy and no restoration of key lifesaving services such as 24-hour accident and emergency provision and the hospital’s dedicated coronary care unit.

In the summer, Ms O’Neill backed the South Eastern Trust’s decision to axe overnight and weekend A&E cover because of a shortage of middle grade doctors, prompting Newry, Mourne and Down Council to invite her to visit the Downe and meet with them.

The minister insists the Downe is a vital part of the local health trust’s hospital network and will continue to deliver essential services. While she said health chiefs will continue to pursue opportunities for expanded or enhanced services where possible at the Downe, this will only happen where it is safe and sustainable to do so.

This week, Ms O’Neill has informed council officials that her earlier response about the withdrawal of services “fully addressed” the issues the local authority raised with her regarding the reinstatement of emergency care and coronary care services. 

She also confirmed she has accepted an invitation from Trust chief executive, Hugh McCaughey, to visit the Downpatrick hospital later this year.

South Down MLA Colin McGrath and councillor John Trainor say they are disappointed at what they claim is the Health Minister’s “continued avoidance of responsibility to the Downe.” Mr McGrath said he has written to Ms O’Neill on numerous occasions about the Downe and services since becoming an MLA .

“The Minister either simply passes the correspondence on to the South Eastern Trust or responds saying it is the Trust’s responsibility,” he declared. “I need not remind the Minister that she is in charge of health services here and that is why I am writing to her.

“This latest excuse saying she will not visit the hospital at the behest of local elected representatives but rather will visit later in the year with her officials smacks of a Minister that doesn’t want to hear the truth and is happy to bury her head in the sand,” he added.

Councillor Trainor said he supported the local authority’s call for a ministerial visit and insisted that she respect the 

wishes of local people. He said he is “disgusted” that local councillors who represent local voices are being ignored in this manner.

He added: “We had great hope that a change of political party responsible for health services might see a change of policy towards the Downe. It appears that it’s simply business as usual – ignoring the people of our area.’

A Department of Health spokeswoman said Ms O’Neill has made it clear that she would be happy to visit the Downe Hospital and speak with elected representatives. 

“The Minister is well aware of the concerns of local people about the future of the Downe and is committed to ensuring that the hospital will continue to provide health services for the local area,” she continued.

“In the weeks ahead, she will set out her vision for health and social care and looks forward to speaking to people right across the north about how this will transform services to better meet the needs of the population.”