In a depleted chamber in the Northern Ireland Assembly this afternoon, a handful of MLA’s debated the issues around the delivery of health services in the South Down area around the Daisy Hill and Downe hospitals. With an absence of DUP and other Unionist members, the other parties continued with the debate.
No Room For A Two Speed Health Service Says Rogers
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The health debate today saw only a handful of MLA’s participating on one of the most important issues facing the local population of South Down with the Unionists withdrawing.[/caption]
SDLP South Down MLA Séan Rogers has argued for the retention of services at Daisy Hill Hospital. Speaking in the Assembly today Mr Rogers criticised moves to remove the Stroke Unit and said efforts should be made to maximise on the potential of cross-border health provision to secure the hospital’s future.
He said: “The reduction of many critical services such as the A&E at the Downe Hospital and the removal of stroke services from Daisy Hill serve as indicators of the direction of travel that the health service is taking. Patients who rely on services at Daisy Hill and Downe are being denied access to vital care. South Down constituents are now possibly the most disadvantaged citizens in Northern Ireland when it comes to accessing hospital services.
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South Down MLA Séan Rogers.[/caption]
“The decision to remove stroke services from Daisy Hill is simply a bad one. With the added value of telemedicine, I have yet to hear a
valid reason why stroke services in the form of the specialised stroke unit in Daisy Hill cannot be maintained particularly given the importance of speed in treating victims of stroke. I understand there is on-going consultation with the Dublin Government which could result in patients from Louth and Monaghan accessing services at Daisy Hill.
“The SDLP voiced its concerns and recognises that it is critical for local people to have confidence in the Health Service and that health care is best delivered at a local level where the facilities exist. In our current situation of obscene waiting times and referrals to distant hospitals, I ask, where is the Patient Care? Where is Transforming your care? The inhuman treatment that is happening in our Health Service as we speak is disgraceful.
“The SDLP recognise that while financial responsibility is a major constraint in determining future strategy, it cannot be the sole focus. If services at Daisy Hill were made more readily available North and South, it would contribute to making the hospital even more sustainable tong term. The Health Service must operate on the basis of a community’s best interest not strictly on a financial bottom line.”
Hazzard Calls On Health Minister To Deliver For Rural Patients
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South Down MLA Chris Hazzard.[/caption]
Speaking during today’s Assembly debate on the Daisy Hill Hospital, Sinn Féin’s Chris Hazzard MLA said: “not only has the Health Minister abandoned his post in recent weeks, but continues to abandon the health needs of local patients.
“Neither Edwin Poots nor Jim Wells proved capable of meeting the needs of South Down patients and their families in recent years as both the Downe and Daisy Hill bore the brunt of continued centralisation of services to Belfast and Craigavon.
“Simon Hamilton must now listen to the tens of thousands of people who have recently taken to the streets to demand equal access to local Health Services in Downpatrick and Newry.”
Mr Hazzard added: “Recruitment of emergency doctors is undoubtedly a serious issue to be overcome, as is the ongoing need to reconfigure services to meet the evolving needs of our society.
“It is paramount now that the Minister steps up to the plate and delivers for everybody – young and old; rural and urban.
“For too long the focus has been on the woefully false economy of centralisation, we need to see a fresh approach. We need to see great local hospitals like the Downe and Daisy Hill enhanced and protected for decades to come.”
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