Ritchie repeats call for summit on local hospital

Ritchie repeats call for summit on local hospital

10 May 2017

FRESH calls have been issued for a regional health summit to discuss service provision at the Downe Hospital.

South Down SDLP Westminster election candidate Margaret Ritchie issued the call after a similar health summit last week paved the way for the retention of 24-hour emergency department services at Newry’s Daisy Hill Hospital.

Miss Ritchie said it is time Secretary of State James Brokenshire and Sir Malcolm McKibbin, head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, outlined their proposals for the future of the Downpatrick hospital which serves the people of Down and Mourne.

She said the local community has already demonstrated its will and determination to have emergency services restored, existing services sustained and a suite of new services provided in the Downe. In addition, Miss Ritchie said the community has demonstrated on a consistent basis “its demand for equal access to health and medical services.”

She continued: “A regional summit should be convened consisting of representatives of the Department of Health, South Eastern Trust, Public Health Agency and the Ambulance Trust to devise a plan to outline how the Downe could be further developed.

“This plan could also outline how to source consultants and middle grade doctors which would enable the reinstatement of 24-hour accident and emergency services at the Downe which, in turn, would help protect and sustain services within the hospital and allow those removed on a temporary basis to be restored and for new services to be provided.”

Miss Ritchie said local accessibility to health and medical services provided at the point of delivery in the Downe is key to this particular issue and should be instrumental in ensuring the hospital is a pivotal force for the provision of health and medical services in the community.

She confirmed she has been in contact with a number of key figures including Mr Brokenshire and Sir Malcolm McKibbin, the Department of Health, Health and Social Care Board and South Eastern Trust, urging that a regional summit is established for the Downpatrick hospital.

Miss Ritchie added: “This summit is required to outline plans to develop the Downe which would ensure local and equal accessibility to medical and health services at the point of delivery.”