03.04.15
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Newry & Mourne Council hold meeting to inform public about Daisy hill hospital’s status

To see the live post – click here: https://www.facebook.com/NewryandMourneDistrictCouncil?fref=nf

Campaign to save Stroke Services at Daisy Hill Hospital gathers momentum

A crowd of over 200 people packed a public meeting held on Thursday 26 February 2015 to show their support for the campaign to save the Stroke Unit at Daisy Hill Hospital.

All those present which included MPs, MLAs, Councillors, stroke survivors and staff working in the unit expressed their strong objections to the proposals from the Southern Health and Social Care Trust to centralise acute in patient and rehabilitation stroke care at a specialist unit in Craigavon Area Hospital.

After hearing contributions from many of those present the meeting agreed to take the following action

The Council’s Health Service Working Group will act as a steering group to organise a major rally in the City Centre on Saturday 28 March 2015.

A major media campaign will be launched in support of the rally to include launch of a facebook page, website, Twitter, press and radio coverage and a video campaign featuring stroke survivors and family members.

A further Public Meeting will be held with representatives of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.

Letters will be sent to the Trust, Health Committee and Minister at the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety expressing the opposition of the community in Newry and Mourne to the proposed closure of the excellent stroke unit at Daisy Hill.

The meeting called on local Trade Unions, Farmers’ Unions, Youth organisations and Rural and Urban Community/Residents Groups, to give their support to the rally and wider campaign.

Summing up Councillor Daire Hughes, Mayor of Newry and Mourne thanked everyone for their valuable contribution to the meeting and expressed his appreciation that so many people had come out to give their support. He said “The level of support tonight shows the appreciation people in the area have for the excellent work of the staff in Daisy Hill and I know the campaign going forward will build exponentially.”