Anger As City A&E To Close On November 1st

SDLP South Belfast MP Dr Alasdair McDonnell has condemned the Belfast Health Trust’s decision to close Belfast City Hospital A&E on November 1st.

He said, “This decision displays a disingenuous effort on the part of the Trust. I believe that the Trust has not given a genuine effort to secure the senior staffing required.

“In circumstances where the Royal’s casualty department is already working to capacity in a temporary building, there will be nowhere for the current A&E clientele of the City Hospital to move to.

“I appeal to the Trust to start putting patients first and reverse this decision.”

The decision by Health Minister Edwin Poots has been taken after a round of talks with medical professionals and visits to hospitals and other centres across Northern Ireland. The Minister has chosen to rationalise the A&E system but the Downe Hospital is not affected by this decision.

All patients in the Downe Hospital catchment area should maintain contact with their GP service or the Downe Hospital to ensure they receive adequate treatment locally in Downpatrick.

The number for Out Of Hours calls between 10pm and 8am to the Downe A&E is:  028 92 602204.