South Down MP Chris Hazzard calls on new Health Minister Robbie Butler to prioritise and safeguard services at the Downe Hospital in Downpatrick
Sinn Féin MP for South Down, Chris Hazzard, has wished Robbie Butler well following his appointment as Minister of Health, while urging him to prioritise regional healthcare stability and the protection and enhancement of local services at the Downe Hospital in Downpatrick.
The South Down MP said: “Despite the disruption surrounding the sudden departure of Mike Nesbitt, I wish Robbie Butler well in his new role.
“I intend to work constructively with him in the best interests of our health service, with our dedicated frontline health and with social care staff, and patients right across County Down.
“The new Minister has taken office at a critical juncture for our health service. Patients across our community continue to experience lengthy waiting times, staff remain under immense pressure, and urgent, strategic decisions are required on workforce planning, social care transformation, and the future configuration of hospital services.
“For our local community, securing and expanding provision at the Downe Hospital must be central to these plans.
“Protecting existing provision is the absolute baseline. We must actively enhance services – including urgent care, diagnostic capacity, and day-case elective procedures – to alleviate wider system pressures and ensure rural patients have timely access essential treatment close to home.
“It is vital that ministerial decisions are driven by clinical evidence, patient outcomes, and objective healthcare needs, rather than narrow party-political interests.
“I have written to the Minister to seek an urgent meeting and look forward to engaging directly with him to champion the Downe Hospital and ensure our local health system receives the long-term investment and staffing it rightfully requires.”
