05.08.23
by

Transformed before your very eyes – is the Plan for Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry City to be replaced by a Regional Planned Surgery Centre?

It was confirmed by the Clinicians at the recent Emergency Surgery public meeting on the 22nd March 2023 in the Canal Court, Newry that the Southern Trust and Department of Health’s plan is to turn Daisy Hill Specialist Acute hospital into a Regional Elective (planned surgery) Centre. 

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital had been previously designated by Government to provide timely access to 24/7 Emergency Surgery and Emergency Medical Services and Consultant led Maternity Services but the Southern Trust’s Chief Executive confirmed that ‘plans to turn the hospital into an elective overnight stay centre were progressing’ at the Canal Court Hotel public meeting.

BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BECOME A REGIONAL ELECTIVE CARE CENTRE?

Department of Health (DoH) Reports are clear on how they intend to provide elective care (planned surgery rather than Emergency or unplanned treatment). “Hospitals designated as Elective Care Centres will be used for outpatient assessments, diagnostics, day surgery or short stay inpatient surgery UNINTERRUPTED BY EMERGENCY ADMISSIONS.”

The Patient and Client Council have stated that “Elective care centres are specialist STANDALONE units DEDICATED PURELY to the delivery of PLANNED assessment and treatment…In practice, this means providing more treatment on a smaller number of specially designed standalone sites by moving this activity away from the busiest hospital sites.”

If Elective care centres are DEDICATED PURELY to the delivery of PLANNED assessment and treatment (for Regional Consultants and their patients) – what other specialist acute inpatient care services will be provided in Daisy Hill, Newry City FOR THE LONG TERM FUTURE for the 159,599 adults and children on Newry and District GP Registers, should it become an elective care centre? These specialist acute services should include 24/7 Type 1 Emergency Surgery and Emergency Medicine, inpatient paediatric services, HDU, Diagnostics, Maternity etc and clinical staff and inpatient beds (other than for Elective care)

2 STEPS ON THE WAY TO BECOMING A REGIONAL ELECTIVE CENTRE:

STEP 1: REMOVE EMERGENCY SURGERY / STEP 2: REMOVE MORE ACUTE SERVICES 

 (1) The Trust controversially withdrew the life saving Emergency Surgery service from Daisy Hill in Newry city, in Feb 2022 requiring all Southern Trust patients to travel to Craigavon Hospital.  Having after being withdrawn temporarily, the Trust now proposes all life saving Emergency Surgery will be permanently withdrawn from Newry City and will be only provided only in future in Craigavon. This withdrawal of Emergency Surgery service will also assist in the plan to prepare to turn Daisy Hill Hospital into a Regional elective centre.

 (2) The Trust’s next plan is to REMOVE other acute services from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital and send these services to a Community Treatment Centre in Newry. This was announced by Future Group Chairman Dr Patterson at the Canal Court public meeting describing the arrangement with the phrase to “free up space.” (This community centre will be privately and not HSC owned).

>IS THE PLAN FOR DAISY HILL TO BECOME A REGIONAL ELECTIVE CARE CENTRE INSTEAD OF A SPECIALIST ACUTE HOSPITAL?

If so, this proposal is a HUGE change of purpose for Newry & District’s designated Acute Hospital, at Daisy Hill, Newry.  This means that any Regional Surgeon, (either NHS or from a Private hospital),  will come to Daisy Hill for planned (elective) operations on their own regional patients from anywhere in NI  using the existing  operating theatres, beds, staff, and equipment in Daisy Hill. 

Controversial changes such as the change in Status/purpose of ANY of the 9 designated NI Acute Hospitals in NI (including Daisy Hill) from a Specialist Acute Hospital to a Regional Elective Care Centre must go to DOH NI wide Regional public consultation before any such decisions are made.

POPULATION FACTS : THE NEWRY & MOURNE LOCALITY IS THE HIGHEST POPULATION IN THE SOUTHERN TRUST AREA

The former Newry & Mourne locality is one of 5 local government districts in the Southern Trust operational area. Newry & Mourne (which includes South Armagh) IS and ALWAYS HAS BEEN the highest population in the Southern Trust. This population (along with other neighbouring areas and visitors) is served by Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in Newry. 

The NI public pay for Health and Social Care services through Regional Rates bills, Taxes and National Insurance deductions from their wages. The public must be consulted and asked to agree /approve changes to services for which they are paying and have paid to maintain – especially Changes that involve Withdrawal of services from a designated NI Acute Hospital. 

CONCLUSION:


REGIONAL PUBLIC CONSULTATION IS REQUIRED BEFORE DAISY HILL ACUTE HOSPITAL  IS CHANGED TO A REGIONAL  ELECTIVE CARE CENTRE

This is potentially unacceptable further withdrawal of specialist acute hospital services from Daisy Hill Hospital on a massive scale without Consultation or any due regard to the NI Rural Needs Act 2016, Equality Legislation, Fair Treatment and Employment 1998 or Change or Withdrawal of Services and population needs assessment .

Any change in Status/purpose of Daisy Hill from Acute Hospital to Regional Elective Care Centre dressed up as ‘transformation’ or ‘reconfiguration’ must be challenged by the Public and all Elected Representatives who believe In Equality and Timely Access to Healthcare in Newry & Mourne- South Down and South Armagh. This cannot go ahead without NI wide Regional Consultation for scrutiny and evaluation by the NI Assembly and public alike under the 2009 Act before any such decisions are made.

To end the uncertainty surrounding Daisy Hill, and for more information on plans for Newry’s Daisy Hill Acute Hospital and elective care centres –you can ask the local representatives on the Southern Local Commissioning Group, the Southern Trust, DoH NI, and Patient Client Council.

These organisations should be able to clarify and explain in detail what future plans they have for Daisy Hill Hospital and whether the concerns written about here are valid.

Newry South Down and South Armagh Area Hospital -Daisy Hill, Newry City.

References and Further Reading:

Patient Client Council, Elective Care in Northern Ireland, 10th July 2019.

 Main DoH NI Elective Care Framework links :   

   
https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/elective-care-framework-restart-recovery-and-redesign 

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/doh-elective-care-framework-restart-recovery-redesign.pdf  (*pgs 24, 63, 74, 75)

Elective Care Framework Restart, Recovery and Redesign 2021

Elective Care, is care that is planned in advance as opposed to Emergency or unplanned treatment. (p24: *Elective Care Framework Restart, Recovery and Redesign 2021).


“This requires commitment from all Trusts that in sites identified as regional elective care centres, that BEDS AND STAFF must be RING FENCED for the delivery of regional elective care.” (p63 *Elective Care Framework Restart, Recovery and Redesign 2021)

“Partnerships and cross-sector collaboration are ESSENTIAL. New services or interventions created, or existing ones that are transformed, WILL NOT ALWAYS BE HSC OWNED.” (p74 *Elective Care Framework Restart, Recovery and Redesign )


“We need more sites providing dedicated elective services that are ENTIRELY SEPARATE from unscheduled care.” ( p75 *Elective Care Framework Restart, Recovery and Redesign )   

More References and further reading to follow soon

Information on this and other similar topics is also available at the companion Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/daisyhillforlife/ Please Follow or Like the Page to receive updates. Thank you.

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We welcome sharing of this info and the use of excerpts and links, please give full and clear credit to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com and Daisy Hill for Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank-you.

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital for Life, Daisy Hill acute hospital, Newry city.
04.16.23
by

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry City needs Emergency Surgery – Consultation Closes Friday 21st April 2023

Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry city needs Emergency Surgery as Daisy Hill is the only Acute hospital serving the 2 Constituencies of Newry & Armagh & South Down, with Population of 235,877, including 60,327 under-18s; NISRA 2020

The Southern Health and Social Care Trust after waiting for over a year, reluctantly, has decided to go to Public Consultation, (because they have to), to get the people’s agreement to remove timely life saving Emergency Surgery, and its specialist clinical staff from Newry City’s Specialist Acute Hospital, Daisy Hill. This is because the Trust only want to provide Emergency Surgery in Craigavon Hospital.

WHY REPLYING TO THIS CONSULTATION IS IMPORTANT

Please write down a resounding NO to ALL the Questions in the Southern Trust Emergency Surgery Consultation Questionnaire for the following reasons:

Daisy Hill in Newry City is the ONLY designated Acute Hospital providing access to TIMELY life saving Emergency Surgery and Emergency Medical Care for the population of the 2 constituencies of Newry/Armagh and South Down. Population 235,877 with 60,327 under 18’s (NISRA 2020).

Because of the large Population it serves and large land mass size, Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry was designated, after a Department of Health NI Regional Consultation, as one of a Network of only nine Acute Hospitals in NI. All of these nine hospitals EDs are vital to ensure timely access to 24/7 Emergency Surgical and Emergency Medical Services WITHIN ONE HOUR, to the entire population of NI no matter where they choose to live.

However, the Southern Trust now want to break up the Regional Network of time reliant Emergency Surgery and Emergency Medical Services without Public consultation (until now). They are proposng to permanently remove access to this timely life saving Service -Emergency Surgery from the Newry & Mourne population at Daisy Hill Hospital.

Their Actions to date (without Consultation) show that the Southern Trust are only prepared to provide Emergency Surgery Services in one place – Craigavon, (initially in March 2020 for six months) and are again still refusing to provide timely Emergency Surgery in Newry City since February 2022.

The Southern Trust plan to remove Emergency Surgery from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital PERMANENTLY is contrary to Change or Withdrawal of Services or Equality, Rural Needs, Human Rights, or Disability legislation.

They are using as evidence a Regional Review on General Surgery, which is only advice and recommendations given to the former Minister for Health Robin Swann MLA which also did not even go to Regional Public Consultation.

Daisy Hill acute Hospital ED, Newry is not just a ‘local’ ED – it serves a wide surrounding area. Daisy Hill Hospital Pathfinder indentified only 75% of DHH ED attendances were from Newry & Mourne: 6.6% were from Armagh: 10% from Banbridge: Down 4%,: 0.6% Craigavon : ROI 1.2% and other 2.4%.

The people of Newry & Mourne and surrounding areas and all across Northern Ireland need Daisy Hill as a Specialist Acute Hospital and need to keep Emergency Surgery there to save lives.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

How to take part in the Consultation

Replies to the Southern Trust Emergency Surgery Consultation have to be in by Friday 21 April 2023.

If you want to help stop the permanent removal of Emergency Surgery from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in Newry, you can take part in the Southern Trust’s Public Consultation through their Online Questionnaire – to help, please say NO at the link below.

Fill in your name and email address and then Answer NO to all the other Questions. Add extra comments if you wish. Then hit Submit:

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=8DtzjS5ESUS3R6dl6jWf-Ja0P0ZOg21MkMGnSnN5SL1UMFRHOUhXOTFZTzJLSEhDU0ZNSUZEODVUWS4u

For some Background Info This is A Summary of the Questions in the online Questionnaire

Question 1 – 4 Personal Info (Fill in name, email address etc..)

Question 5. Do you agree with the reasons for change outlined in the document? Select No

Question 7. Do you agree with proposal to provide Emergency General Surgery Services on the Craigavon Area Hospital site 24 hours per day 7 days per week? Select No

Question 9 An Equality Impact Assessment is available on the Trust website. Do you agree with the outcome of this assessment? Select No

Question 11. A Rural Needs Impact Assessment is available on the Trust website. Do you agree with the outcome of this assessment? Select No

Please help to retain our Specialist services in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry for future generations’ lives and to keep jobs in Newry & Mourne.

Please share this with your friends and loved ones who are away from home, because this affects extended family and all visitors too.

Please ask them if they will send in a Consultation reply too, saying ‘No’ to the Qs to stop the permanent removal of Emergency Surgery from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry before the Consultation Closes on Friday 21st April 2023.

Thank you. For background info – you may be interested in the following post too:

https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2020/02/04/newry-mourne-local-government-district-lgd-ranks-in-the-top-4-lgds-in-all-northern-ireland-consistently-since-1971-so-where-is-the-matched-funding-for-daisy-hill-acute-hospital-newry/

04.03.23
by

THE TIME TO BUILD A MAJOR SPECIALIST ACUTE HOSPITAL IN NEWRY CITY IS NOW!

The most urgent Capital Priority and counter proposal when answering the Southern Trust Emergency Surgery Consultation is to build a Major new Specialist Acute Hospital in Newry city – not a community treatment centre.

This Capital Priority needed right now for Newry & Mourne is funding and business plan for a Specialist Acute Hospital building for the area, as agreed at Government level in 2005 so it is LONG overdue.

According to the Southern Trust, the Department of Health NI has allocated £4.5 million to spend on progressing acute health services in Newry city. The Trust says this funding was to purchase a site at Abbey Way, Newry and associated design for a new community treatment centre.  But to progress acute services they should be provided in an ACUTE HOSPITAL  in Newry just like in Craigavon – not just in a treatment centre.  The £4.5million site, at Abbey Way, Newry, is large enough and the ideal place for a NEW Major Specialist Acute Hospital Building.

Official statistics have proven over and over that the large size of the growing population in the long established settlement in Newry & District justifies funding for a new build major Specialist Acute hospital in Newry City, as since 1971, Newry & Mourne LGD has always been in the top 4 highest populations in NI (after Belfast, Lisburn (Greater Belfast) and Derry) and Newry & Mourne LGD is projected to be the 3rd Highest by 2026. (A higher population than Derry) (NISRA)

Funding plans for a new hospital to upgrade Daisy Hill Acute Hospital were announced for Newry by previous Secretary of State, Sir Peter Hain in 2005 to match the population size.  This funding has still not been followed up by the Southern Trust in their Capital Priorities Programme submitted to the Department of Health/ DoH, but the population has not forgotten.

Building a new Specialist Acute Area Hospital building in Newry could then complement the Daisy Hill Hospital building, if the intention is to reconfigure Daisy Hill into a ring-fenced elective care centre (instead of a specialist acute hospital) as the Southern Trust have proposed.  

The proposed removal of Emergency Surgery from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry city to Craigavon is forefront in people’s minds. At the recent public meeting in the Canal Court Hotel, the few people who were allowed to speak made it clear to the Southern Trust representatives there that they were totally opposed to removal of emergency surgery, and questioned the Trust’s constant removal of acute services from Newry, as well as the Southern Trust’s failure to provide beds for patients and diagnostic equipment for Staff in Daisy Hill, Newry city.

If the DoH and Southern Trust are now ready to offer some long overdue capital investment to actually provide specialist acute services in a specialist hospital in Newry instead of transferring services, beds and equipment to Craigavon, then the people of Newry & Mourne, South Armagh and surrounding areas may well be interested in their proposals.

If the Southern Trust fail to provide for the Newry & Mourne population, and keep up this policy of transferring specialist services to Craigavon, they will be called out on this as it goes against the Rural Needs Act and other legislation. 

Calls for fair treatment can be expressed through talking to Councillors, asking for an emergency Council meeting and through responding in writing to the Consultation on Emergency Surgery.

The Southern Trust need to listen to what we want – not continue telling us what we can’t have.

This is the one and only chance in your lifetime you are ever going to get to write to the Southern Trust what you want, what you pay for through Rates and Taxes, and more importantly what you are entitled to.  The Southern Trust have a statutory duty to take into account in their decision making and responses, any suggestions you make in reply to the consultation on removal of emergency surgery from Newry to Craigavon.

That is why when 19,000 people including over 12,000 people from this area opposed the centralisation of Stroke services to Craigavon, Altnagelvin and Belfast the Department of Health couldn’t go ahead with their unfair proposals because of the opposition. 

We have a right to challenge the constant removal of Specialist Acute Services especially Emergency Surgery and Emergency Medical Services from Newry to Craigavon.

Daisy Hill for Life is asking people of Newry, Mourne and Down to write NO to the questions in the Southern Trust Consultation Questionnaire on centralising Emergency surgery to Craigavon.

People power through Consultations -Based on demographics Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry should be confirmed as a location for a Hyperacute and Acute Stroke Unit

Please also speak/write to your Councillors, MLAs, MPs and Trade Unions asking them for their support in rejecting the Southern Trust’s proposal to remove Emergency Surgery from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry. (How to contact them : see this page: https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/how-you-can-help/ )

Please also ask for their support for the need for the long overdue Major new Specialist Acute Hospital Building in Newry – not a community treatment centre.    A new Major Specialist Acute Hospital building will also bring huge economic benefits to Newry, including construction jobs.

IMPORTANT RELATED CONTENT

(See also : https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2020/02/04/newry-mourne-local-government-district-lgd-ranks-in-the-top-4-lgds-in-all-northern-ireland-consistently-since-1971-so-where-is-the-matched-funding-for-daisy-hill-acute-hospital-newry/

Read how Newry & Mourne Local Government District was incorrectly made to look like the smallest population in Southern Trust area when it was really the largest, in a crucially important Population Plan Table, created in 2013 for the influential ‘Transforming Your Care’ Health Review – Playing with numbers, playing with people’s lives

This article also gives vitally important information on the population sizes of the 5 Local Government Districts which make up the Southern Health and Social Care Trust operational area.

Information on this and other similar topics is also available at the companion Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/daisyhillforlife/ Please Follow or Like the Page to receive updates. Thank you.

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© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2024

We welcome sharing of this info and the use of excerpts and links, please give full and clear credit to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com and Daisy Hill for Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank-you.

03.26.23
by

BROKEN TRUST – CALL FOR NEWRY, MOURNE & DOWN COUNCIL EMERGENCY MEETING AND MARCH FOR DAISY HILL HOSPITAL

The Southern Health and Social Care Trust came down to Newry on Wednesday 22nd March 2023 to dictate to the people that they had decided, to withdraw timely, life-saving emergency general surgery permanently, from Newry City’s Area Acute Hospital Daisy Hill.

Because of this unjust decision there is a Major public health crisis in Newry & Mourne right now, especially with this new threat to Daisy Hill of permanent removal of Emergency Surgery so that Daisy Hill can be made an Elective Care Centre, as confirmed at the public meeting on 22 March 2023

Dr O’Kane, the Southern Trust’s Chief Executive confirmed at this meeting that ‘plans to turn the hospital into an elective overnight stay centre were progressing.’  Note how they have removed the name Hospital.

The Daisy Hill Future Group Chairman Dr Conor Patterson also stated that plans were imminent to pass over the Monaghan Row Council Offices over to the Southern Trust. He also spoke of Southern Trust intentions to transfer acute services from Daisy Hill into a Community Treatment Centre in Newry. (This will be a privately built building which will be rented by the Southern Trust for 27 years, so not HSC owned).

TIME FOR ACTION – EMERGENCY COUNCIL MEETING AND MARCH NEEDED

Now it is time again, that the people asked Newry Mourne & Down Council for their concentrated support to organise to call for action and proper treatment of Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, the Area Hospital for Newry & Mourne and South Armagh.

In 2014 when the Southern Trust announced they wanted to centralise all Acute Stroke Services from Newry to Craigavon, the former Newry & Mourne Council unanimously supported the people’s campaign against this unfair and unjust decision. 

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital - enhance stroke services in Newry Public Rally 2015

Newry & Mourne Council did an excellent job of organising a large Rally and March in Newry, wrote to the Southern Trust with their objections and ran a successful united Save Our Stroke Services Campaign. This Save Our Stroke services at Daisy Hill, Newry Rally was 8 years ago this weekend on Saturday 28th March 2015.

We need Newry, Mourne and Down Council to support the people in a similar way with a united campaign to support Daisy Hill Acute Hospital and the proposed loss of another Specialist Service – this time, Emergency Surgery from the Newry city hospital.

We need Newry Mourne & Down Council’s support and for them to organise another March in Newry on a Saturday as soon as possible.

Daisy Hill for life is calling on all citizens of Newry & Mourne and Down to please contact, talk to, and write to our District Councillors for help today on the Southern trust’s plan to withdraw permanently, timely, life saving emergency general surgery from Newry City’s Area Acute Hospital Daisy Hill.

DAISY HILL HOSPITAL, NEWRY CITY IS NOT BEING TREATED FAIRLY

The Newry Mourne & Down District Council should be aware that this isn’t the first time since 2014 that Daisy Hill was under threat of permanent removal of timely life saving Acute Stroke or Acute Emergency services under the direction of the Southern Trust, especially since the publication of the advice given by: 

1. The Bengoa Report 2016 – where they used Stroke Services in the Southern Trust as a Local Case Study and canvassed for Craigavon to be the only hospital to have Acute Stroke services in the Southern Trust.

2. Regional Acute Stroke Services Consultation 2019 : Daisy Hill was in none of the 5 options in the 2019 consultation for Regional Acute Stroke Services and Craigavon was named as one of only three sure to have a hyper acute and acute stroke unit.

3. In March 2020 at a key time for the world, the Southern Trust showed complete indifference on how people of Newry & Mourne and South Armagh were supposed to access Emergency Care. All Acute Services including Emergency Medical and Surgical Services, Respiratory, Direct Assessment, Children’s ED, and Acute Clinical Staff, were removed from Daisy Hill for six months.  Again making sure that Craigavon could have two adult and 1 new Children’s Emergency Department.

4. HSC Rebuilding Plans 2020 -2021 : The Southern Trust refused to put Daisy Hill Emergency Department in the Department of Health Rebuilding Plans from March to October 2020 and Daisy Hill was excluded from the NI Critical Care Network.

5. Review of Emergency Surgery Workstreams March 2022: Daisy Hill was used as a Case Study not to have Emergency Surgery in Review of Emergency Surgery Workstreams because the Southern Trust has removed Emergency Surgery from Daisy Hill in February 2022.

6. Review of General Surgery 2022: The Southern Trust decision to permanently remove emergency surgery from Daisy Hill used as evidence  in the findings and advice of the Workstreams of the Review of General Surgery (which never went to public consultation to the NI Assembly for approval) and the advice given by Dr Mark Taylor to Minister Swann to decide on which hospitals would have Emergency Surgery services, or decide that Daisy Hill and South West Acute Hospitals should be changed permanently from major specialist acute hospitals into Regional Elective care centres

Daisy Hill in Newry City is the only Acute hospital serving the 2 Constituencies of Newry & Armagh & South Down, with Population of 235,877, including 60,327 under-18s; NISRA 2020
Daisy Hill in Newry City is the only Acute hospital serving the 2 Constituencies of Newry & Armagh & South Down, with Population of 235,877, including 60,327 under-18s; NISRA 2020

Newry, Mourne and Down is the 3rd highest Local Government District population in NI and its only Acute Area hospital at Daisy Hill, Newry must be prioritised for  funding and investment as a Major Specialist acute Hospital not just as an elective centre. The population here have no other timely access to an acute hospital in an emergency.

 Now is the time for positive action. Please contact your councillors and ask for an Emergency Council Meeting and a Public Rally/March to be organised to take place on a Saturday in Newry in support of Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry. This must happen before the Councillors break for council elections.

Contact info for your councillors available here: https://www.newrymournedown.org/your-councillors

The Consultation on Provision of Emergency Surgery in the Southern Trust closes on Friday 21st April 2023. It is also important that the people of Newry Mourne & Down take part in this consultation. More information on how you can take part in the Southern Trust Emergency Surgery Consultation 2023 will soon be provided here and on Daisy Hill for Life face book page. https://www.facebook.com/daisyhillforlife Thank you.

Newry South Down and South Armagh Area Hospital -Daisy Hill, Newry City.

Text, graphics and logo ©Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2023.

Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com (Daisy Hill Hospital for Life) and Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank-you! We welcome sharing.

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01.29.23
by

As the number of Emergency Departments in NI goes down, the number waiting over 12 hours goes UP by thousands (NI Statistics)

Emergency Department Waiting Times Statistics published by the Department of Health NI indicate that when the number of Emergency Departments in NI was reduced, thousands more people waited over 12 hours in the remaining Emergency Departments in NI .

ED waiting time stats show that 49 people waited over 12 hours, from April to October 2008 when there were 20 Emergency Departments in Northern Ireland. (Type 1, 2 and 3 EDs) The locations of the 20 Type 1, 2 and 3 Emergency Departments in April to October 2008 are shown on NI map.

When there were twenty Emergency Departments in NI, between April and October 2008, statistics show that 49 people waited over 12 Hours to be seen across all the Emergency Departments in NI. (See Table )

The 20 Type 1, 2 and 3 Emergency Departments in NI during the period April to October 2008 are shown below on the map.

COMPARISON

In comparison, when the number of Emergency Departments had been reduced to fifteen EDs across NI, between April and Oct 2020, the number of people waiting over 12 hours had ROCKETED up to 13,365 people.

The figures for 2008 (April to October) are shown below alongside the figures for 2020 in the same 6 month period (April to October) so the comparision can be made. The huge increase in those waiting over 12 hours against the reduced number of EDs open in NI is evident.

ED waiting time stats show that 13,365 people waited over 12 hours between April and Oct 2020 when there were 15 Emergency Departments in Northern Ireland. In comparison 49 people waited over 12 hours between April and Oct 2008 when there were 20 EDs in Northern Ireland. (Type 1, 2 and 3 EDs) Statistics from Department of Health NI

The remaining Emergency Departments in NI, with information on whether they were open or closed during the period April to October 2020 is also shown on the map below. The Emergency Department Types ranged from Major Acute Hospital EDs (Type 1) to the Minor Injury Units (Type 3)

NI Statistics show that when the number of Emergency Departments in NI are reduced, the number of people waiting more than 12 hours increases by thousands. The locations of the Type 1, 2 and 3 Emergency Departments for the periods April -October 2008 and April -October 2020 are shown on a map of NI along with a Table showing the statistics from Department of Health NI

Daisy Hill Acute Hospitals’ Emergency Department (Type 1) in Newry was closed during the period Apr-Oct in 2020.

Daisy Hill was the only Acute Hospital ED in NI closed during this period and this closure contributed significantly to the extra numbers waiting over 12 hours in other Emergency Departments (EDs).

CONCLUSION AND SOLUTION

As these Statistics indicate, FEWER Emergency Departments mean THOUSANDS MORE wait over 12 hours, then a SOLUTION to decrease the numbers waiting in Emergency departments across NI, should be:

RESTORE THE NUMBER OF EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS in NI BACK TO AT LEAST 20 while KEEPING AT LEAST 10 Type 1 EDs (with Emergency Surgery) , including Daisy Hill, Newry and South West, Enniskillen.

This suggested solution will also go some way to helping meet the obligations of Equality Legislation and the Rural Needs Act 2016 to ensure equity of access to emergency healthcare which all the population of NI (Urban and Rural) are entitled to.

BACKGROUND

As the Emergency Department Types in Northern Ireland discussed here ranged from Major Acute Hospital EDs (Type 1) to the Minor Injury Units (Type 3), definitions of each are given below:

DEFINITIONS OF THE THREE SEPERATE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS

Type 1 departments are defined as those with a consultant-led service with designated accommodation for the reception of emergency care patients, providing both emergency medicine and emergency surgical services on a round the clock basis.

Type 2 departments are consultant-led service with designated accommodation for the reception of emergency care patients, but which does not provide both emergency medicine and emergency surgical services and/or has time-limited opening hours.

Type 3 departments are minor injury units (MIU) with designated accommodation for the reception of patients with a minor injury and/or illness. It may be doctor or nurse-led. A defining characteristic of this service is that it treats at least minor injuries and/or illnesses and can be routinely accessed without appointment.

(Source: Urgent & Emergency Care Waiting Time Statistics for Northern Ireland)

BACKGROUND
In 2008 there were 20 EDs (Type 1, Type 2, Type 3)
Type 1: Altnagelvin, Antrim, Belfast City, Royal, RBHSC, Mater, Causeway, Craigavon, Daisy Hill (Newry), South West, Ulster

Type 2: Lagan Valley, Downe

Type 3: Tyrone County, Mid Ulster, Whiteabbey, Bangor, Ards, Armagh Community, South Tyrone

Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry City –the Acute Area Hospital for Newry & Mourne, South Armagh
Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry City – the Acute Area Hospital for Newry & Mourne, South Armagh etc

Information on this and other similar topics is also available at the companion Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/daisyhillforlife/ Please Follow or Like the Page to receive updates. Thank you.

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Daisy Hill Acute Hospital for Life, Daisy Hill acute hospital, Newry city.
06.29.22
by

2 Days to go! You need to Know! Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry and the DoH NI Urgent and Emergency Care Services Consultation 2022

2 Days to Go ! Consultation closes on Fri 1st July 2022 @ 5pm

Please respond to the DOH NI Consultation on Urgent and Emergency Care Services in Northern Ireland . For reasons why – Pls Read Why This Consultation Matters below.

Link to the Online Consultation – below:

https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/doh-1/review-of-urgent-and-emergency-care-services-in-no/

Main Department of Health NI Consultation Documents are available to read here:

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-review-urgent-and-emergency-care-services-northern-ireland

WAYS TO RESPOND to the DoH Urgent and Emergency Care Services Consultation 2022: 

 By Email > Send your completed Consultation Form
by Email to :  UECS@health-ni.gov.uk

By Online Questionnaire > Using :

https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/doh-1/review-of-urgent-and-emergency-care-services-in-no/

By Post > A hard copy of your response Questionnaire can also be sent to:

Department of Health, Regional Health Transformation Directorate, Annex 3, Castle Buildings, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3SQ

WHY THIS CONSULTATION MATTERS TO THE FUTURE OF DAISY HILL ACUTE HOSPITAL IN NEWRY

Newry South Down and South Armagh Area Hospital -Daisy Hill, Newry City.

The DOH NI Public Consultation on Urgent and Emergency care suggests we should agree to their proposals for future Urgent and Emergency care services in NI and that the services should be delivered as they were during March – Oct 2020.  We can’t be expected to agree to this, as this was when Daisy Hill Hospital Emergency Department was closed, Daisy Hill staff were relocated and 3 Emergency Departments were provided in Craigavon and none in Newry.

Because they are planning for this again – the Southern Health and Social Care Trust has received funding for and works completed (Nov2020) for a dedicated additional ambulance handover zone for Craigavon Hospital – but not for Daisy Hill Acute Hospital (Southern Trust Delivery Plan 2021/2022).

 The ‘No More Silos Action Plan’ published Oct 2020 is the document that is referred to in the NI Executive Summary Document, when Daisy Hill was excluded from the NI Regional ED Network, NI Critical Care Network and Southern Trust Rebuild Plans.  The Executive have been told “Once the public consultation has concluded, proposals will be finalised and an investment and implementation plan will be developed for Ministerial consideration” (Ref: Executive Summary p2/3)

So we can’t agree to this consultation because Daisy Hill hospital ED Newry city – is not included in the No More Silos Action Plan. Daisy Hill Hospital doesn’t feature in this future provision of ED services in NI if they go by No More Silos. We have to tell DOH what’s been left out. Remember Daisy Hill was left out of stroke options, never again must this happen! We must act/reply now or find your way whatever way you can to Craigavon, Mid Ulster.

In 2003 Daisy Hill, Newry was designated as a Major Acute Hospital with a Consultant led 24/7 ED  to ensure timely access within one hour to Emergency Surgery and Emergency Medical Care to its very large catchment population. This catchment  population depending on access to timely Emergency Surgery and Emergency Medical Care , has increased yearly since then and in  2022 Newry & District has the second highest number of patients in NI (159,599) including the 2nd highest number of children U18 (36,117) registered with GP Practices. (The Highest is in Derry -Source: BSO).

This Consultation closes this Friday 1st July 2022 So please help the community, the economy and for Daisy Hill Hospital today – help keep our Type 1 Emergency Department in Daisy Hill, Newry.

We know you are all just waiting to do whatever you can to help Daisy Hill for all our futures. WE ARE ALL STRONG WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER!

BACKGROUND:

NO MORE SILOS ACTION PLAN LINK
https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/doh-no-more-silos.pdf

No More Silos is the Department of Health’s action plan to support and maintain urgent and emergency care services, making changes to existing services and introducing new ones to ensure that patients can access the right care, in the right place, and at the right time. In October 2020, the Minister of Health published an urgent and emergency care action plan called ‘No More Silos’. This sought to maintain and improve urgent and emergency care services through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

2. KEEP EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS FOR EMERGENCIES (pg 7 No More Silos Key Action 2 )

“How will it work? This action is closely linked to the following action to develop Urgent Care Centres. Under the new arrangements, direct access to Emergency Departments will only be possible for patients who arrive by ambulance or who are referred to the Emergency Department from the Urgent Care Centre or by their GP. All patients who make their own way to a hospital site will be assessed by a health professional who will determine whether they should attend ED, the Urgent Care Centre, or some other service. Care will be needed to ensure this does not lead to an increase in 999 calls for an ambulance to access ED. All patients will continue to have 24/7 access to care and advice on current ED sites”

IMPORTANT STATS

Latest May 2022 figures show (after Derry) Newry & District has the Second Highest Number of patients in NI registered with GP Practices. (159,599) including the 2nd highest number of children U18 (36,117) (Source: BSO).

These GP Registers state:

Newry & District has: The Highest number of patients in NI with Heart Failure and Heart Failure due to Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction.

2nd Highest number of Patients in NI (after only Derry) with Cardiovascular Disease Primary Prevention, Osteoporosis and Depression

3rd Highest number of Patients in NI (after Derry and Antrim) with Cancer, Coronary Heart Disease, Asthma, Atrial Fibrillation, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Diabetes, Palliative Care and Hypertension (which can lead to heart disease and Stroke).

4th Highest number of Patients with Stroke: South West is 3rd: Causeway 7th: Craigavon 10th. This must inform where stroke services are provided in NI.


© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2022. We welcome sharing of this info and the use of excerpts and links, please give full and clear credit to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com and Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank-you.

Additional articles on this Consultation and other ways to respond using the longer questionnaire help is available from : IT’S 2022 AND DAISY HILL NEEDS YOU! in the Dept. of Health Urgent and Emergency Care Consultation (Closes 1st July 2022) – Daisy Hill Hospital for Life (savedaisyhillhospital.com)

and

Consultation on changes to Access to Urgent & Emergency Care Services 2022 (Department of Health NI) – Daisy Hill Hospital for Life (savedaisyhillhospital.com)

06.23.22
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IT’S 2022 AND DAISY HILL NEEDS YOU! in the Dept. of Health Urgent and Emergency Care Consultation (Closes 1st July 2022)

WANT TO HELP DAISY HILL ACUTE HOSPITAL IN NEWRY & HELP ENSURE WE STILL HAVE LIFE-SAVING 24/7 EMERGENCY SURGICAL & MEDICAL SERVICES THERE IN THE FUTURE?

Yes, YOU CAN HELP make a difference to our future Hospital services in Newry City by answering the Dept of Health (DOH) consultation on Changes to Urgent and Emergency Services 2022 by Friday 1 July 2022 @ 5pm.

Support Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in the Reshaping stroke services Department of Health NI 2017 consultation. stroke services. Newry and Mourne is the right place for a hyperacute stroke unit.

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE PART IN THIS CONSULTATION

This Consultation proposes future Changes to How and Where we can access Emergency and Urgent Care services, and will soon involve changes to our existing services.  We all need to be involved in this or the new changes will be made without our input. 

This Consultation is about proposed Changes to Urgent and Emergency Care Services, and gives us a direct opportunity, while answering the Qs, to show the Department of Health how important it is to provide Emergency & Urgent Care services in Daisy Hill Hospital.

The Provider of Services in this area, the Southern Trust withdrew Emergency Surgery from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in March 2022 – and we would like this life-saving Emergency Care to be re-instated to Newry city.

This Department of Health Consultation places huge importance on an Action Plan called ‘No More Silos’ for future planning of Emergency services – but this No More Silos Plan was in place when the Southern Trust closed Daisy Hill’s ED during the pandemic to provide 3 EDs in Craigavon– so this is not the model of care best suited to our area. There is a real population-based need in the area and future Emergency & Urgent Care services must be commissioned for the Newry South Down and South Armagh Area Hospital -Daisy Hill, in Newry City.

A Clear vision for Daisy Hill Acute Hospital - Newry _Daisy Hill for Life
Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry City

 If you would like to help by Submitting a Response to the Urgent and Emergency Care Services Consultation, or are short on time and would like some ideas – please read the Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and this website

All Responses must be submitted before Friday 1st July 2022 @5pm.

HOW TO RETURN YOUR COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE TO THE CONSULTATION BY EMAIL

When you have finished the form – check and save your answers, then log into your email account.

Select New Email, Add the Questionnaire File as an Attachment to your new email message (using either the Paperclip icon or Add Attachment)

The Email Address to send your completed Questionnaire is UECS@health-ni.gov.uk ,

Type UECS@health-ni.gov.uk into the To box of your New Email

Write your message and finally click Send

 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH NI CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS LINK

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-review-urgent-and-emergency-care-services-northern-ireland   

Closing Date:  Friday 1st July 2022 at 5pm

WAYS TO RESPOND: 

 By Email > Send your completed Consultation Form by Email to :  UECS@health-ni.gov.uk

By Online Questionnaire > Using :

https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/doh-1/review-of-urgent-and-emergency-care-services-in-no/

By Post > A hard copy of your response Questionnaire can also be sent to:

Department of Health, Regional Health Transformation Directorate, Annex 3, Castle Buildings, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3SQ

Newry South Down and South Armagh Area Hospital -Daisy Hill, Newry City.

Why Emergency & Urgent Care services must be provided in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in Newry

  1. DEMOGRAPHICS

Latest May 2022 figures* show Newry & District has the 2nd highest number of patients in NI registered with GP practices, (159,599) many suffering with serious illnesses who need Emergency & Urgent Care and specialist hospital services.   (Newry & District also has the 2nd highest number of Children U18 in NI). Without Daisy Hill ED there is no nearby alternative for Emergency or Urgent treatment for accidents which can happen on the road, work, home or school or during sport and leisure.   (* Background information at the end)

2. COST OF LIVING

Fuel prices are increasing – people cannot afford to drive or get taxis to Craigavon hospital if services are moved there.

3. ECONOMY & JOBS

We want to keep Jobs in our Newry South Down South Armagh Area Hospital and keep our skills-base and economy strong (Fair treatment and Employment Act).

4. CLIMATE CHANGE

Centralisation of services is bad for the Environment – puts extra cars on the road and increases carbon footprint. We are told to Shop Local to protect Economy and the Environment – why should hospital services be any different?

5. RURAL PROOFING

In 2009 the NI Executive committed to strive for a fair and inclusive rural society where rural dwellers enjoy the same quality of life as all others in the region.  There is a duty on public authorities to have due regard to rural needs ( Rural Needs Act 2016) – this must be shown by the DOH in how they commission Emergency and Urgent care services.

>Newry city needs a fully functioning acute hospital with a Type 1 ED providing Time Critical Emergency and Urgent care for its citizens.  Rates, taxes and national insurance contributions all go towards these services and you and your family are entitled to have a say where the services are provided.

*BACKGROUND 1

According to the GP Federation Register May 2022 (Source BSO)

>Newry & District has the Highest number of patients in NI with Heart Failure

>Newry & District has the 2nd Highest number of Patients in NI (after only Derry/L’Derry) with Cardiovascular Disease Primary Prevention, Osteoporosis and Depression

>Newry & District has the 3rd Highest number of Patients in NI (after Derry/L’Derry and Antrim) with Cancer, Coronary Heart Disease, Asthma, Hypertension (which can lead to heart and stroke), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Diabetes, and needing Palliative Care.

>Newry & District also has the 4th highest no of Patients in NI with Stroke, while Craigavon is 10th. This must inform where stroke services are provided in NI.

(GP Registers are the main reliable source of info you can look at for actual illness present in a local or general area to find out if there is need to provide health services there and to what extent.). 

In 2020 Newry Mourne and Down (NMD) had the highest number of Fatal collisions, Serious collisions and Number of Seriously injured according to Recorded Injury Road Traffic Collisions (RTC) statistics.

BACKGROUND 2

ROAD ACCIDENTS:

In 2020 Newry Mourne and Down (NMD) had the HIGHEST number of 

(1) Fatal collisions ,

(2) Serious collisions and

(3) Number of Seriously injured

according to Recorded Injury Road Traffic Collisions (RTC) statistics. Similar high statistics were recorded in previous years.

ROAD ACCIDENTS – CHILD CASUALITIES

U16 Child casualties following Road Traffic Collisions (Newry Mourne and Down):

In 2020/21 : NMD had the highest number of children seriously injured  and

highest number of children in NI KSI (killed or seriously injured) .

In 2019/20 NMD had joint highest no of children in NI killed,

2nd highest no of road collisions in NI resulting in child injuries or deaths and

2nd highest no of children in NI seriously injured after Belfast.

Similar high statistics were recorded since 2016/17. (Source: Recorded Injury Road Traffic Collisions statistics).

The evidence is all there – please take part in the Department of Health NI Urgent and Emergency Care Consultation 2022 and ask for Urgent and Emergency care services to be commissioned in the Newry South Down South Armagh Area Hospital, Daisy Hill in Newry city for us, our families and our future generations.  

You can keep making a difference for Daisy Hill!

Information on this and other similar topics is also available at the companion Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/daisyhillforlife/ Please Follow or Like the Page to receive updates. Thank you.

06.14.22
by

Consultation on changes to Access to Urgent & Emergency Care Services 2022 (Department of Health NI)

Department of Health NI proposals to radically change HOW and WHERE the public can ACCESS Accident and Emergency Care, are out for consultation, so the people can agree or disagree to this permanent Change or Withdrawal of Services.

The Urgent and Emergency Care Services Review Consultation 2022* proposes plans to re-organise the current system of ACCESS to Urgent and Emergency Care Services (including Hospitals). It also deals with “how older people and others will be offered treatment in the community to avoid admission or delays in hospital.” The Consultation says changes are needed to help with issues like over-crowded EDS, too many patients waiting over 12 hours.

What will these proposals mean for you and the people of Newry & Mourne, South Down and South Armagh, Banbridge, Armagh etc?

Future services and investment for all Hospitals in NI including Newry’s Area Hospital, Daisy Hill will depend on these new changes.

Department of Health NI Urgent and Emergency Care Services Review Consultation 2022

The Urgent and Emergency Care Consultation Report suggests that future Emergency/ Urgent Care Services should use the “experience gained locally” during the pandemic.
The people will remember that during pandemic THERE WAS NO EMERGENCY SERVICE IN NEWRY under the Southern Trust from 28th March 2020 to 19th October 2020.

The local experience / service was, the Southern Trust CLOSED the Emergency Surgery & Emergency Medical services at Daisy Hill Hospital Type 1 ED in Newry, and Daisy Hill staff were re-deployed –to provide 3 EDs including a children’s ED in Craigavon hospital.

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in Newry was designated to be one of the 9 Major Acute Hospitals with 24/7 consultant -led Emergency Surgery and  Emergency Medical Services necessary to provide Acute hospital services fairly to everyone no matter where they choose to live in NI in 2003.    

However, at the beginning of the pandemic, the Southern Trust was  the only Health and Social Care Trust in NI to close an acute hospital Type 1 ED. 

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital has also been left out of the NI Critical Care Network, and the Southern Trust Stage 1 and Stage 2 Rebuilding plans, showing little regard for the unscheduled care needs of the large populations Daisy Hill was designated as an Acute Hospital for. 

Time for Investment for Newry +Mourne LGD 2020

The Southern Trust consistently LEAVES DAISY HILL HOSPITAL, NEWRY OUT of their necessary Capital Priorities Business plans submitted to the Department of Health.  Because of this -Daisy Hill in Newry City is the only Acute hospital in all of NI waiting on finance for future Redevelopment, especially the  NEW hospital building, which was agreed by the Secretary of State in 2005. 

PROPOSED LOCATIONS FOR URGENT AND EMERGENCY CARE SERVICES

The Department of Health Review and Consultation does not give Names of Locations for Future Urgent and  Emergency services, but instead state they will provide them in the “RIGHT PLACE”.

Newry & District with 159,600 patients has the 2nd highest number of patients on GP Federation Registers in NI.   We need to tell the Department of Health in this Consultation that based on POPULATION size, DAISY HILL ACUTE HOSPITAL, NEWRY IS THE RIGHT PLACE for Type 1 Consultant-Led Emergency Department with and Emergency Surgery and Emergency Medicine.

The Department of Health NI wants us to tell them if they have left anything out of the Urgent and Emergency Services Consultation Proposals before they finalise the plan.  All views put forward to the Consultation will go directly to the decision makers at the Department of Health; whose responsibility it is to assess the health needs of the population, and to then commission services, based on this. 

STROKE IS A MAJOR 999 EMERGENCY 

Stroke Services are being consulted on again in this consultation, as it is a major Emergency service which we are still told to ring 999 for.   The Bengoa Report inappropriately recommended the Centralisation of Stroke services from Daisy Hill, Newry City to Craigavon.  The result of which was shown in the Department of Health NI Consultation on Reshaping Stroke Services in  2019 when Daisy Hill’s Stroke Unit was unfairly LEFT OUT of all the Options for Location of Acute and Hyper-acute Stroke units.   Craigavon, because of the Bengoa Recommendation as a local Case Study was in ALL of the Options for both Hyper-acute and Acute stroke Units, while Newry’s Daisy Hill was in NONE.

Act FAST Stroke - HyperAcute Stroke Unit for Newry 2019

No reply was ever given to any of the 19,000 people in NI who responded to the ‘Reshaping Stroke Services’ Consultation and many objected or gave alternatives to the proposals. This needs to be cleared up NOW as this consultation is in provision of Emergency/Urgent Care for the future.

If you want to make sure you can still access Emergency services at Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in Newry, in the future – This is how we tell them -We are ENTITLED TO IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO 24/7 CONSULTANT-LED EMERGENCY SURGICAL AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES IN DAISY HILL ACUTE HOSPITAL, NEWRY CITY.   You can reply to the Consultation questionnaire online and in writing until 01 July 2022.  (Link below)

People power through Consultations -Based on demographics Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry should be confirmed as a location for a Hyperacute and Acute Stroke Unit

More information on this Dept. Of Health NI Consultation will follow shortly on Daisy Hill for Life Facebook page and on this blog Daisy Hill Hospital for life

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital Emergency Department serves the entire area of Newry and Mourne and South Armagh the largest popultation in the Southern Trust

LINKS
https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-review-urgent-and-emergency-care-services-northern-ireland Consultation Documents links

REFERENCE
*Review of Urgent and Emergency Care Services in Northern Ireland – Consultation Report & Strategic Priorities Department of Health Northern Ireland, 2022.

Information on this and other similar topics is also available at the companion Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/daisyhillforlife/ Please Follow or Like the Page to receive updates. Thank you.

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© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2022

© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2022. We welcome sharing of this info and the use of excerpts and links, please give full and clear credit to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com and Daisy Hill for Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank-you.

02.28.22
by

Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry is one of the 9 Major Acute Hospitals in the Regional Network, designated in 2003 like Antrim, Ulster, etc

Newry & Mourne, South Armagh Area Acute Hospital at Daisy Hill, in Newry city

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry earned the right to be recognised as a Major functioning Acute Hospital because it was designated in 2003 as one of the nine Major Acute Hospitals, in its own right, like Antrim, Ulster, the Royal Group, etc. These nine acute hospitals were designated to provide 24/7 vital life saving Emergency Surgery and Emergency Medical Care to the population of NI no matter where they choose to live. (Ref 1*)

The population size of Newry & Mourne has consistently been the largest Locality in the Southern Trust operational area and the population needs Emergency Surgery in their Type 1 Emergency Department at Daisy Hill, Newry city. (Ref 2)

Since Famine times (1840’s) Newry’s Area Hospital and its compassionate staff have provided an open door to Emergency or Unscheduled care to everyone who went to there for help.

Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry City –the Acute Area Hospital for Newry & Mourne, South Armagh

But now in February 2022, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust are withdrawing vital life saving Emergency Surgery from Daisy Hill Hospital Newry City, again without Public Consultation, or adhering to statutory duties imposed on Health Trusts by Section 75 of the NI Act 1998. They are yet again citing Southern Trust recruitment problems as the reason.

Firstly in 2016 they said they couldn’t get any consultants to replace the consultant who was retiring. The Health Minister at the time fairly agreed to fund Locums to keep the Emergency Department up and running until permanent consultants were recruited.

Since 2016, the Southern Trust, without going to any Public Consultation, have used their own recruitment problems as an excuse to avoid carrying out their Statutory function to Provide Hospital Accommodation and Services in the 24/7 Emergency Surgical and /or Emergency Medical Department in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry City.

In March 2020 The Southern Trust – the only Health Trust in NI to shut down a Type1 Acute Hospital vital life saving Emergency Department for 7 months, refused to keep the doors of Daisy Hill open to provide Emergency Surgery, Emergency Medical and Respiratory Care in Daisy Hill, Newry City, when it was needed most by the Newry & Mourne population of 106,813 people, including 28,116 under 18s at the beginning of the Covid Pandemic.

The Southern Health and Social Care Trust stated that Emergency Surgery and Emergency Medical and Respiratory Care for the whole Southern Trust population would only be provided in Craigavon, leaving Newry, South Down and South Armagh without any Emergency Surgical, Emergency Medical, or Respiratory Care for children or adults alike, while Craigavon would have 2 EDs for adults and 1 new ED for Children.

Covid 19 does not excuse them from Screening and Equality Impact Assessments.

The Southern Trust are required under Section 75 of the 1998 NI Act to address the impact their decision to remove Emergency Surgery will have on people of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status, sexual orientation, men and women generally, people who are disabled and those who are not and people who have dependants and those without in the Newry & Mourne – South Down and South Armagh area. (Ref: 3)

The three good relations categories are people of different religious belief, political opinion, and racial group. (Ref 4)

FUNCTION OF THE SOUTHERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES TRUST

The Southern Trust needs to stop looking for ways to centralise Emergency Services to Craigavon and provide more – (not less) beds, equipment, more medical staff, and bring Daisy Hill (Newry, South Down and South Armagh Area Hospital up to state of the art modern building standards with its fair share of capital expenditure investment as they are constantly doing in Craigavon.

They need to acknowledge and comply with their Functions clearly set out in the Southern Health and Social Services Trust 2006 Establishment Order (Ref 5)

which are:-

2(a)”to provide hospital accommodation and services at Craigavon Area Hospital, Craigavon, Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry, Longstone Hospital, Armagh, Lurgan Hospital, Lurgan, Mullinure Hospital, Armagh, St Luke’s Hospital, Armagh, and South Tyrone Hospital, Dungannon, and associated premises;

Southern Health and Social Services Trust 2006 Establishment Order

The Southern Trust Establishment Order does not give them the right to WITHDRAW accommodation (beds) or services (including staff) from Daisy Hill hospital.

If the Southern Trust want to take away vital life saving Emergency Surgery services which have been there for over 100 years, then they need to have a better excuse than their own inability to recruit medics.

And if the Southern Trust are genuinely concerned about their inability to recruit medics then they can recruit general surgery Locums for Daisy Hill like they are recruiting for Craigavon Hospital.

( BACKGROUND)

Ref 1 * Developing Better Services 2003, Department of Health NI

*Please Note: There are now 10 ten acute hospitals -as it was shown that the New South West Hospital in Enniskillen was also needed. (See also: https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2017/08/17/daisy-hill-hospital-an-acutely-important-fact/

and https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2022/02/07/newry-citys-acute-hospital-daisy-hill-is-entitled-to-its-rightful-place-in-the-ni-type-1-acute-hospital-regional-network/

Ref 2: See Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency NISRA Tables at ; https://www.nisra.gov.uk/

Ref 3: https://www.equalityni.org/ECNI/media/ECNI/Publications/Individuals/Leaflet-KnowYourRights.pdf

Ref 4: https://www.equalityni.org/ECNI/media/ECNI/Publications/Employers%20and%20Service%20Providers/Public%20Authorities/Good_Relations_Public-Authorities-Summary_Guide.pdf

Ref 5: Southern Health and Social Services Trust (Establishment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006

Southern Health and Social Services Trust (Establishment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006

Nature and functions of the trust:

2(a) to provide hospital accommodation and services at:

Craigavon Area Hospital, 68 Lurgan Road, Portadown, Craigavon BT63 5QQ,

Daisy Hill Hospital, 5 Hospital Road, Newry, BT35 8DR,

Longstone Hospital, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh BT61 7PR,

Lurgan Hospital, Sloan Street, Lurgan, Co Armagh BT66 8NS,

Mullinure Hospital, Loughall Road, Armagh BT61 7NN,

St Luke’s Hospital, 71 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7NQ,

South Tyrone Hospital, Carland Road, Dungannon BT71 4AU, and associated premises;

(b) to provide community based health and personal social services from the trust headquarters and associated premises; and

(c) to exercise, on behalf of Health and Social Services Boards, such relevant functions as are so exercisable by the trust by virtue of authorisations for the time being in operation under Article 3(1) of the Health and Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1994

Southern Health and Social Services Trust (Establishment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006
Daisy Hill Emergency Department served 53555+ people in 2016 - banner

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We welcome sharing of this info and the use of excerpts and links, please give full and clear credit to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com and Daisy Hill for Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank-you.

02.20.22
by

TIME TO ADDRESS EQUALITY – SOUTHERN TRUST MUST ADDRESS SECTION 75 DUTIES – DURING THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS, NOT AFTERWARDS.

Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry City –the Acute Area Hospital for Newry & Mourne, South Armagh
Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry City – the Acute Area Hospital for Newry &Mourne, South Armagh

It appears that the Southern Trust have decided, against the wishes of the people who have paid for the service, to remove Emergency Surgery from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry City from 28th February 2022, leaving the population abandoned without any nearby alternative to provide life saving Emergency Surgery.

This highly controversial decision has been made by the Southern Trust without any Public Consultation, or  Equality Impact Assessment showing they had not given due regard  to their duties under Section 75 of the 1998 NI Act.

These Section 75 duties have to be addressed DURING the decision-making process, NOT AFTERWARDS. The Equality Commission in NI gives clear guidance to Public Authorities on their duties under Section 75 NI 1998 Act.

The Southern Trust are required under Section 75 of the 1998 NI Act to address the impact their decision to remove Emergency Surgery will have on people of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status, sexual orientation, men and women generally, people who are disabled and those who are not and people who have dependants and those without in the Newry, Mourne South Down and South Armagh Area.

The three good relations categories are: people of different religious belief; political opinion and racial group.

It is a fundamental right of everyone who is in need of Immediate life saving Emergency Surgical Care to be seen immediately as at present in all of the ten Emergency Departments in NI no matter where they are located within NI.

Just as in the Western Trust (with a total population of 301,448*) there is need for TWO Specialist Acute Stroke Units - so too, the Southern Trust (with a larger population of 380,312*) is also entitled to TWO Specialist Stroke Units (HASUs and Acute Stroke Units), at Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry and Craigavon Hospital. This would ensure that everyone in the Southern Trust has immediate access to CT scanning and life saving thrombolysis, followed by direct access into a stroke unit.
Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry City is the longest established major acute hospital in the Southern Trust 

The people of Newry & Mourne (which includes South Down and South Armagh) continue to pay extensively through Rates and Taxes including National Insurance contributions to ensure they have a fully functioning Acute Hospital with a 24/7 Type 1 Emergency Surgery and Emergency Medical Department, to look after their population should they need it when they are at their most sick and vulnerable at the Newry & Mourne, South Armagh Area Hospital at Daisy Hill.

Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry City is the longest established major acute hospital in the Southern Trust – We have a right to have our say through meaningful Public Consultation and be shown Equality Impact Assessments when any service the Southern Trust must provide is being taken away. We have prepaid for our Life Saving Emergency services and are entitled to Value for Money the same as everyone else in NI.

This is not up for negotiation.

Newry & Mourne has always had the largest population in the operational area of the Southern Trust with a population of 106,813 including 28,116 aged Under 18. (NISRA 2020).

Newry City must have a fully functioning Major Acute Hospital which includes Consultant Led Type 1 ED with Emergency Surgery like all of the Acute Hospital Type 1 Regional Network EDs in NI.

KEYFACTS

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital is located in Newry, Gateway City to NI, where (in Jan to Dec 2021) 51,668 men, women and children needed Emergency Surgical and/or Emergency Medical Care.

In the year April 2018 to March 2019 (before the Southern Trust closed DHH ED at the start of Covid) over 2,200 patients were admitted to Daisy Hill acute Hospital for non-elective surgery through the Emergency Department.

This is a clear indication of the need for this vital life saving service

Section 75 duties have to be addressed DURING the decision-making process, NOT AFTERWARDS. The Equality Commission in NI gives clear guidance to Public Authorities on their duties under Section 75 NI 1998 Act.
Section 75 Duties must be addressed by Public Authorities
Section 75 duties must be addressed DURING the decision-making process, NOT AFTERWARDS. The Equality Commission in NI gives clear guidance to Public Authorities on their duties under Section 75 NI 1998 Act.

Information on this and other similar topics is also available at the companion Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/daisyhillforlife/ Please Follow or Like the Page to receive updates. Thank you.

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© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2023. We welcome sharing of this info and the use of excerpts and links, please give full and clear credit to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com and Daisy Hill for Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank-you.