Daisy Hill Hospital Concerned Over ‘Temporary’ Maternity Closure
Sinn Féin representatives have expressed their concerns over the ‘temporary’ suspension of Maternity Services at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry.
Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh, Dáire Hughes, has raised the issues surrounding maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital.
Speaking at Thursday’s Southern Trust Board meeting, Dáire Hughes said: “Last week’s suspension of services demonstrated the fragility of maternity at Daisy Hill Hospital.
“Whilst we understand the causes of this suspension and understand the need for patient safety to be paramount in decision making, we need assurances that everything possible is being done to avoid a repeat of this.
“The temporary suspension of maternity services caused distress to patients and staff alike. Daisy Hill’s maternity unit provides a very good service, thanks to the excellent, committed staff, but it is clear that additional support is needed to secure consistent services.”
Speaking after the meeting the Newry Armagh MP said: “It is welcome that the Trust remains committed to maternity services at Daisy Hill and that recruitment for key medical staff is currently underway.
“We hope that these positions are filled quickly in order to build capacity and resilience at Daisy Hill.
“There are wider concerns, across the North, about co-ordinated workforce planning and skills development.
“Sinn Féin will be raising this with the Health Minister to see what steps he is taking to ensure services like maternity at Daisy Hill are not put at further risk.”
Ennis Concerned at Daisy Hill Maternity Services Temportary Suspension
Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis has expressed concern at reports of maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital have been temporarily suspended due to staff shortages.
The South Down MLA said: “The suspension of maternity services at Daisy Hill will be of concern to patients and staff.
“While it is only temporary due to staff sickness, nonetheless it highlights a bigger issue around staff shortages and workforce planning.
“Daisy Hill maternity services play a vital role and the Department of Health must find solutions to ensure this does not happen again.
“I will be raising this issue with the Health Minister to ask if he is taking steps to ensure the service is not put at further risk.”
