THE temporary closure of the Downe Hospital as part of the response to the coronavirus pandemic represents an “extraordinary measure for an extraordinary time”, according to South Down MP Chris Hazzard.
Mr Hazzard met with senior officials from the South Eastern Trust last week before the formal announcement was made that the emergency department would close temporarily, alongside the weekend minor injuries service, as part of the organisation’s radical plan to deal with the COVID-19 emergency.
The MP says the changes are designed to ensure that the health system has the maximum ability to meet the “inevitable demand” it will face in the weeks ahead as the pandemic approaches its critical surge.
Mr Hazzard says the Downe’s focus is now on providing critical care for inpatients and with additional beds now in place, the hospital will play a vital role in the urgent repatriation of patients away from the COVID-19 frontline at the Ulster Hospital.
“In order to meet these challenges, the emergency department, minor injuries unit, day procedures and outpatient clinics will be temporarily unavailable at the Downe during this crisis,” he explained.
“GP out-of-hours and mental health services will remain unaffected. The health trust is also enhancing care at home packages for the vulnerable and elderly in the community.”
Mr Hazzard said the local community will be understandably concerned about the “dramatic changes” to the hospital and that some may even be angry.
“During this global health emergency, we must put our faith and support in the expert health practitioners who are best placed to take these decisions,” he continued.
“I welcome the public commitment from the South Eastern Trust that these are strictly temporary measures to meet the unprecedented challenges represented by the coronavirus pandemic and will not become a permanent reality.”
Mr Hazzard said that in the days ahead, many queries and issues will arise from the health trust’s decision, both from the public and those who work in the health and social care system.
He declared: “Sinn Féin will continue to engage with the health trust and other agencies to ensure there is public confidence in this radical approach.
“With this in mind we have written to the Ambulance Service to ask that they urgently reassess their capacity to meet the subsequent needs of our local community on the back of this announcement.”
Mr Hazzard also appealed to the community to do all in its power to help and assist health and social care workers who find themselves at the frontline in the battle against COVID-19.
He added: “They are doing an incredible job in the most challenging of circumstances to keep us all safe. We must demonstrate real social solidarity in order to help and support them in the unprecedented crisis ahead.”