People campaigning to save stroke services in Daisy Hill acute Hospital, Newry now face a new challenge with the Bengoa panel report.

This report that addresses Health and Social Care Reform in Northern Ireland,  uses the controversial proposed removal of Stroke services from Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry as the prime local Case Study for Centralising Services.  It states it is an example of how “services can be changed in ways that benefit patients.” No associated Clinical evidence or References are provided in the Case Study to back up the claims and the theory. (Ref: Page 72-3 Bengoa Expert Panel Report ‘Systems not Structures, 2016’)

The criteria evolving from this Bengoa Report is the subject being addressed by the Department of Health in a series of public meetings around Northern Ireland before the current health Consultation on the criteria closes on 20^th January 2017.  The meeting in Newry will take place on Monday 16^th January in the Newry Conferencing and Banqueting Centre, 39-41 The Mall Newry from 7 -9 pm.

Michelle O’Neill, MLA, is the first Health Minister who has held a public meeting in Newry City – this is an encouraging sign of inclusion for local people and an ideal opportunity for Newry & Mourne people to have a platform for their views on the “rationalisation” or proposed centralisation of health services from Daisy Hill acute hospital and from their area.

As published on the Department of Health’s website  “Speaking about the events, Minister O’Neill said: “They allow the public to engage face to face with senior professional medical, nursing and policy staff  from my Department and the views expressed will be reported back to me.”

Background info

The proposed removal of the Stroke services from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry to Craigavon Hospital by the Southern Trust has warranted a continuous long-running community campaign, ignored by the Southern Trust.  An estimated 10,000 people marched under the banner ‘Save Daisy Hill Stroke Services’ in a Public Rally and march organised by Newry & Mourne Council in March 2015.  The Lord Mayor of the former Newry & Mourne Council, Daire Hughes, handed in a letter to Daisy Hill, from the Council for the attention of the Southern Trust regarding the removal of stroke services from Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry City to Craigavon hospital.

The Bengoa Report panel members include: Professor Rafael Bengoa (Chair), Dr Alan Stout, Bronagh Scott, Mairead McAlinden, Mark A Taylor

One of the local experts who made up The Bengoa Expert Panel Mairead McAlinden was previous Chief Executive of the Southern Trust (until March 2015.)  She has subsequently been appointed as a member of the Transformation Advisory Board to help implement the Department of Health’s follow on Report: ‘Health and Wellbeing 2026: Delivering Together’ which will include a public consultation on Stroke services in February 2017.

All interested in attending the Department of Health meeting on Monday 16th January 2017 from 7-9 pm should come to Newry Conferencing and Banqueting Centre, 39-41 The Mall Newry BT34 1AT, Tel 028 3025 5790.

You can also link to the Daisy Hill hospital for life campaign at Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook

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