Senior churchman shares concerns of community

Senior churchman shares concerns of community

12 February 2014

THE Moderator of the Presbyterian Church said he “shares the concern” of local people about the withdrawal of weekend A&E services from the Downe Hospital.

The Rev. Rob Craig was in Downpatrick last week and signed the Down Community Health Committee petition in support of the return of the weekend service, axed at the start of the year due to a shortage of middle grade doctors.

Mr. Craig, who was accompanied by Rowallane councillor Robert Burgess and Saintfield minister Owen Patterson, met with Community Health Committee chairman, Eamonn McGrady and Down Council chief executive, John Dumigan.

The Moderator, a former minister of Clough and Seaforde Presbyterian Church, described his visit to Downpatrick as “fact-finding” and also took time to visit a patient at the Downe.

Dr. Craig was provided with an overview of local hospital services by Mr. McGrady and revealed it was great to return to Down District where he once ministered.

“Today was largely fact-finding for me, although I lived and worked in this area for nine years. It is great to come back to reconnect with the area,” he continued.

“You hear from a distance through the media of some of the concerns and pressures on the health service and we are all aware of that. It has been great for me to have the opportunity to come and meet people, including Eamonn, and hear at first hand concerns about hospital services and the story they have to tell.”

The Moderator said he shares the concern people have about the loss of their weekend A&E service and that while he lives in a different part of the country where there are not similar issues, he realises there is a big concern for local people and those who work in the Downe who value the emergency service and want it to be here for them.

Dr. Craig explained he prefers to work quietly behind the scenes and it’s not time for public statements on the issue which do not perhaps help the situation.

He continued: “I certainly want to engage with whoever I can who is some part of this story and see if we can bring the services back here which I believe is what everyone wants.

“The Health Minister cannot produce doctors he does not have to work in Downpatrick, but I don’t believe that he or anybody else has a closed mind about this issue.”

The Moderator said he does not believe that local people are against progress and new ways of doing things, but are concerned about the A&E issue.

“If you think over the summer time how the population in this area swells with people coming down that must put extra pressure on the local health services and the need to keep them open,” he continued.

Dr. Craig added: “Think of the visitors at weekend and various weekend sports and not to have the A&E facility open at this time is an extra stress and concern.

“I will try and do what I can. I have heard very clearly the concerns of people and I won’t forget them. I will lend my voice to theirs where I can.”

Mr. McGrady said he was delighted the Moderator signed the petition and took time to listen to local concern about the withdrawal of weekend A&E services from the Downpatrick hospital.