Tag Archives: Accident and Emergency

07.27.25
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DAISY HILL HOSPITAL, NEWRY NEEDS TIMELY EMERGENCY SURGERY!

Last week the campaign run by the people of Fermanagh & South Tyrone to retain Emergency Surgery at the South West Acute Hospital (Enniskillen)  has been headline news. The Health Minister Mr Mike Nesbitt MLA must be commended for listening to the people and ensuring correct procedure is followed by halting the current consultation.

The people of Newry, Mourne and Down also need access to TIMELY Emergency Surgery at Daisy Hill in Newry, and fairness and correct procedure must be adhered to here also, as the people of Newry, Mourne and Down deserve the same dignity as the rest of the people living in NI.

Daisy Hill in Newry City is (or was) the ONLY designated Acute Hospital providing access to CONSULTANT LED 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 the large land mass size, Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry was designated as one of a Network of only nine Acute Hospitals in NI, after a DoH Regional Consultation. 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 previous Southern Trust management unfairly broke up the Regional Network of time reliant Emergency Surgery and Emergency Medical Services by proposing in April 2023 to provide Emergency Surgery only in Craigavon Hospital. This meant then the removal of timely life saving Emergency Surgery, and its specialist clinical staff from Newry City’s Specialist Acute Hospital, Daisy Hill.

The people and Newry, Mourne and Down Council were against this proposal – but the Southern Trust still went ahead. The Permanent Secretary of DoH agreed to PERMANENTLY withdraw Emergency Surgery from Daisy Hill, and announced this on 8 January 2024, without a Regional Public Consultation and when the Executive /Assembly was not in place.

>The Dept. of Health recorded this in its Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24: ‘The permanent closure of the Emergency General Surgery service at the Daisy Hill Hospital site following a comprehensive consultation process in January 2024. A new service for all Southern patients is now fully operational in Craigavon Area Hospital with new inter-Trust and NIAS pathways to manage the demand from the Newry/Mourne population.”

Despite what is written in the Annual Report, there was NOT ‘comprehensive consultation’. Emergency surgery like heart and stroke is a Regional service and there must be a Regional consultation. There was no Regional Consultation.

The Southern Trust questionnaire asked : ‘Do you agree with the proposal to provide Emergency General Surgery Services on the Craigavon Area Hospital site 24 hours per day 7 days per week? It did not state they would withdraw Emergency Surgery from Daisy Hill in the questionnaire.

This was a local Trust ‘consultation’ and not appropriate for life saving Regional Services like Emergency Surgery. In this local Trust ‘consultation’ – 94% of people said NO. The Trust received 11,377 responses including a questionnaire completed by the ‘Save Our Emergency Surgery at Daisy Hill Hospital’ group, endorsed by 11,053 people, NOT IN AGREEMENT with the Southern Trust proposal.

>REGIONAL SERVICES MUST BE PLANNED, MANAGED AND DELIVERED ON A REGIONAL BASIS.

The point must be made again -Emergency surgery like heart and stroke is a Regional service and there must be a REGIONAL consultation.

The Dept. of Health’s own Annual Report, writes that under the principles of Health and Wellbeing 2026: Delivering Together :

“This will empower local providers and communities to plan integrated continuous care based on the needs of their population, with specialised and regional services planned, managed and delivered ON A REGIONAL BASIS.” (DoH Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23 pg7)

This matter is not closed for the people of Newry, Mourne and Down, just like the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone asking for fair play, equality and campaigning to retain Emergency Surgery in South West Hospital, the people also need access to Emergency Surgery at Daisy Hill in Newry because it saves lives and we deserve the same dignity as the rest of the people living here.

The people of Newry Mourne and Down ask for fairness from the current Health Minster and Department of Health. A proper REGIONAL Consultation is needed. This will ensure correct procedure is followed and will properly address the issue of access to Emergency Surgery across the whole network of 9 acute hospitals including Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in Newry , Mourne and Down and South West acute in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

TIMELY Emergency Surgery saves lives!
REFERENCES

> Dept. of Health Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24 for year end 31 March 2024 (p 10 pdf)
> Dept. of Health Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23 (p 7 pdf)
>Provision of Emergency General Surgery In The Southern Health And Social Care Trust – Public Consultation Feedback Report September 2023.

Important Further Reading on Emergency Surgery follows (Written 9th March 2024)

DECLINE BY DESIGN: General Surgery Inpatient Beds Systematically Cut from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry from 2007 to 2023

Department of Health NI information shows that the number of Beds (for both Emergency and Planned General Surgery) in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry were SYSTEMATICALLY CUT from 2007-2023.

The reduction of these beds resulted in a huge decline in the number of Emergency General Surgery Inpatients who were treated in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in Newry.

This is vitally important because the Department of Health are using the reason “Lower patient numbers” (or volumes) as a key reason why Health Trusts are unable to recruit or retain consultants and as justification for permanent removal of services from Acute Hospitals and in this case – Emergency General Surgery from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in Newry.

Decline by Design - General Surgery Inpatient Beds Systematically Cut from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry from 2007 to 2023.

As shown in the Department of Health statement published 08 Jan 2024, from Permanent Secretary Mr Peter May: “When hospitals have lower patient numbers, this can create significant issues for professionals working in key specialties. These include rota/on-call pressures inherent in smaller clinical teams, as well as insufficient case mix to support specialisation, training and skill development. These issues inevitably have consequences for recruitment and retention.” (Ref 1)

The Permanent Secretary Mr Peter May’s statement shows that he agreed with the Local Southern Trust’s decision to permanently withdraw all Emergency General Surgery from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry to Craigavon, and believed what he was told that Daisy Hill had low patient numbers needing Emergency General Surgery.

But, as the final row in the picture table shows, while Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry had only 3 inpatients recorded for the whole year 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023, this low number of inpatients was while the number of available beds in the Hospital had been REDUCED to only 8.6 beds to admit anyone needing either Emergency or planned General Surgery.

The numbers of inpatients for emergency surgery dropped because the number of emergency and planned surgery beds had been deliberately reduced.

NUMBER OF BEDS TRACKED FROM 2007-2023

Southern Trust took over Management of Daisy Hill Acute Hospital on 1st April 2007.

For the year 1st April 2006 – 31st March 2007, Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry had 49.5 Inpatient beds (for Emergency and planned General Surgery) and 3,432 Emergency General Surgery inpatients

(For the same year Craigavon Hospital had 97 inpatient beds (for Emergency and planned General Surgery) and 3,540 Emergency General Surgery inpatients).

Fast forward to the year (1st April 2022 – 31st March 2023): Daisy Hill Acute Hospital , Newry had plummeted to 8.6 Inpatient beds (for Emergency and planned General Surgery) with only 3 Emergency General Surgery inpatients recorded for the whole year.

The table diagram showing official DOH statistics proves that there was a Decline by Design – and General Surgery Inpatient Beds (for Emergency and planned Surgery) were systematically Cut from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry from 2007 to 2023.

CONCLUSION

The Southern Trust were given the function, under the 2006 Establishment Order to provide accommodation and services in Hospitals in Newry, Craigavon, Armagh, and Dungannon to ensure equal access to hospital services to everyone no matter where they lived in the former Local Government Districts of Newry & Mourne, Craigavon, Armagh, Dungannon, and Banbridge.

But although the Southern Trust Establishment Order clearly states the Southern Trust have a duty to “PROVIDE ” not “DEPRIVE” access to Accommodation and Services in Daisy Hill, Newry, they have not done so, as the falling number of available inpatient Beds in Daisy Hill, Newry for General Surgery over time can be seen in the accompanying table picture.

All Emergency Services, including Fire and Ambulance are Regional Services and as such cannot be changed or withdrawn without going through Regional Public Consultation, where decisions can be challenged by the public who are paying for the service – (not just at local level by the Southern Trust).

The final decision will then rest with the Health Minister after a REGIONAL CONSULTATION which must include Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in Newry.

BACKGROUND

Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry, along with 8 other hospitals in NI was designated as an Acute Hospital with 24/7 Consultant Led Emergency Surgery, Emergency Medical, and Maternity Services since 2003.


>In 2006/07 DHH had 49.5 inpatient beds for General Surgery ( Emergency & planned ) with 3,432 Emergency General Surgery Inpatients.
>In the year 2009/10*: DHH had 48.8 inpatient beds for General Surgery (Emergency & planned) with 3,036 Emergency General Surgery Inpatients.(see picture: 2009/10)


>By the year 20018/19*: DHH had dropped to 27.5 General Surgery inpatient beds (for Emergency & planned Surgery ) with 2,204 Emergency General Surgery Inpatients.


> But by the year 2022/23* (when the General Surgery Speciality had been ‘temporarily removed’ ) Daisy Hill Acute Hospital General Surgery Inpatient bed numbers (for Emergency & planned surgery) plummeted to only 8.6 inpatient beds with only 3 Emergency General Surgery inpatients recorded. (see picture)

REFERENCES

Ref 1 https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/…/doh-approves-permanent… – Permanent Secretary Peter May statement (08 Jan 2024 DOH)

Link to SHSCT Establishment Order 2006

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2006/294/contents/made

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

Establishment Order Trust 2006 nisr_20060294_enDownload
Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry City –the Acute Area Hospital for Newry & Mourne, South Armagh
Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry City.

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.

Please also see the related post : ‘Emergency Surgery – the Have and the Have Nots’ : https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2025/05/24/emergency-surgery-the-haves-and-the-have-nots-n-ireland

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© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2025. 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.

05.27.25
by

DECLINE BY DESIGN: General Surgery Inpatient Beds Systematically Cut from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry from 2007 to 2023

Department of Health NI information shows that the number of Beds (for both Emergency and Planned General Surgery) in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry were SYSTEMATICALLY CUT from 2007-2023.

The reduction of these beds resulted in a huge decline in the number of Emergency General Surgery Inpatients who were treated in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in Newry.

This is vitally important because the Department of Health are using the reason “Lower patient numbers” (or volumes) as a key reason why Health Trusts are unable to recruit or retain consultants and as justification for permanent removal of services from Acute Hospitals and in this case – Emergency General Surgery from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in Newry.

Decline by Design - General Surgery Inpatient Beds Systematically Cut from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry from 2007 to 2023.

As shown in the Department of Health statement published 08 Jan 2024, from Permanent Secretary Mr Peter May: “When hospitals have lower patient numbers, this can create significant issues for professionals working in key specialties. These include rota/on-call pressures inherent in smaller clinical teams, as well as insufficient case mix to support specialisation, training and skill development. These issues inevitably have consequences for recruitment and retention.” (Ref 1)

The Permanent Secretary Mr Peter May’s statement shows that he agreed with the Local Southern Trust’s decision to permanently withdraw all Emergency General Surgery from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry to Craigavon, and believed what he was told that Daisy Hill had low patient numbers needing Emergency General Surgery.

But, as the final row in the picture table shows, while Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry had only 3 inpatients recorded for the whole year 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023, this low number of inpatients was while the number of available beds in the Hospital had been REDUCED to only 8.6 beds to admit anyone needing either Emergency or planned General Surgery.

The numbers of inpatients for emergency surgery dropped because the number of emergency and planned surgery beds had been deliberately reduced.

NUMBER OF BEDS TRACKED FROM 2007-2023

Southern Trust took over Management of Daisy Hill Acute Hospital on 1st April 2007.

For the year 1st April 2006 – 31st March 2007, Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry had 49.5 Inpatient beds (for Emergency and planned General Surgery) and 3,432 Emergency General Surgery inpatients

(For the same year Craigavon Hospital had 97 inpatient beds (for Emergency and planned General Surgery) and 3,540 Emergency General Surgery inpatients).

Fast forward to the year (1st April 2022 – 31st March 2023): Daisy Hill Acute Hospital , Newry had plummeted to 8.6 Inpatient beds (for Emergency and planned General Surgery) with only 3 Emergency General Surgery inpatients recorded for the whole year.

The table diagram showing official DOH statistics proves that there was a Decline by Design – and General Surgery Inpatient Beds (for Emergency and planned Surgery) were systematically Cut from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry from 2007 to 2023.

CONCLUSION

The Southern Trust were given the function, under the 2006 Establishment Order to provide accommodation and services in Hospitals in Newry, Craigavon, Armagh, and Dungannon to ensure equal access to hospital services to everyone no matter where they lived in the former Local Government Districts of Newry & Mourne, Craigavon, Armagh, Dungannon, and Banbridge.

But although the Southern Trust Establishment Order clearly states the Southern Trust have a duty to “PROVIDE ” not “DEPRIVE” access to Accommodation and Services in Daisy Hill, Newry, they have not done so, as the falling number of available inpatient Beds in Daisy Hill, Newry for General Surgery over time can be seen in the accompanying table picture.

All Emergency Services, including Fire and Ambulance are Regional Services and as such cannot be changed or withdrawn without going through Regional Public Consultation, where decisions can be challenged by the public who are paying for the service – (not just at local level by the Southern Trust).

The final decision will then rest with the Health Minister after a REGIONAL CONSULTATION which must include Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in Newry.

BACKGROUND

Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry, along with 8 other hospitals in NI was designated as an Acute Hospital with 24/7 Consultant Led Emergency Surgery, Emergency Medical, and Maternity Services since 2003.


>In 2006/07 DHH had 49.5 inpatient beds for General Surgery ( Emergency & planned ) with 3,432 Emergency General Surgery Inpatients.
>In the year 2009/10*: DHH had 48.8 inpatient beds for General Surgery (Emergency & planned) with 3,036 Emergency General Surgery Inpatients.(see picture: 2009/10)


>By the year 20018/19*: DHH had dropped to 27.5 General Surgery inpatient beds (for Emergency & planned Surgery ) with 2,204 Emergency General Surgery Inpatients.


> But by the year 2022/23* (when the General Surgery Speciality had been ‘temporarily removed’ ) Daisy Hill Acute Hospital General Surgery Inpatient bed numbers (for Emergency & planned surgery) plummeted to only 8.6 inpatient beds with only 3 Emergency General Surgery inpatients recorded. (see picture)

REFERENCES

Ref 1 https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/…/doh-approves-permanent… – Permanent Secretary Peter May statement (08 Jan 2024 DOH)

Link to SHSCT Establishment Order 2006

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2006/294/contents/made

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

Establishment Order Trust 2006 nisr_20060294_enDownload
Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry City –the Acute Area Hospital for Newry & Mourne, South Armagh
Daisy Hill Acute Area Hospital, Newry City

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.

Please also see the related post : ‘Emergency Surgery – the Have and the Have Nots’ : https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2025/05/24/emergency-surgery-the-haves-and-the-have-nots-n-ireland

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© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2025. 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.
07.07.24
by

Nuffield Trust Report recommended Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry should be bolstered with some Hyper-Specialist Services (e.g. Stroke)

Nuffield Trust Report 2023 Recommended Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry should be bolstered with some Hyper-Specialist Services (e.g. Stroke)

The independent think tank Nuffield Trust were commissioned by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust to report on ‘how care might be improved at the Daisy Hill (DH) site.’ and review services. This Nuffield Trust Report* dated 31 March 2023 sent to Dr Maria O’Kane, Chief Executive of the Southern Trust provides key findings and suggestions for building a sustainable model of care at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry. One of the main recommendations in the Nuffield Trust Report was that there should be:

‘Bolstering of the DH site through provision of some hyper-specialist services (e.g., stroke), as well as regular outpatient clinics in each specialty on site.’ (Page 4)

As well as this recommendation emphasising the need for Specialist services like Hyper Acute Stroke in Daisy Hill Hospital, the Nuffield Trust Report emphasises the importance of Critical Care Services in Daisy Hill (e.g. the High Dependency Unit) and for Outpatient Clinics in each specialty on the DHH site. 

The Nuffield Trust also discusses staffing considerations across the Southern Trust’s TWO acute Hospitals, at Daisy Hill, Newry and at Craigavon. (*A link to the full report is available in References/Links below.)

CONCLUSION

BOLSTERING OF HYPER-SPECIALIST SERVICES IN DAISY HILL, NEWRY IS NEEDED TO SAVE LIVES

In their Report of March 2023 following their review, the Nuffield Trust came to the conclusion that there was need for more Hyperacute services in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry stating Daisy Hill Hospital should be bolstered with Hyper-Specialist services e.g. stroke. (See p4)

Looking at the illness prevalence on the list of patients in the 17 GP Federations across NI it can be seen why bolstering of Hyper-Specialist services in Daisy Hill Acute hospital, Newry is necessary to save lives. An official Needs assessment will also back this up, as Dept of Health illness stats by area detailed below show.

ILLNESS PREVALANCE STATS SHOW THE NEED IN NEWRY & DISTRICT

According to GP Registers in 2023 Newry & District GP Federation had the HIGHEST number in NI of patients on their register for Heart Failure (2,060 patients);also THIRD HIGHEST of the 17 GP Federation Registers for Hypertension (21,465 patients); Cancer (4,582 patients); Coronary Heart Disease (5,259 patients); Asthma (9,613 patients); Chronic Kidney disease (6,434 patients) and Atrial Fibrillation (3,258 patients).

Newry & District Federation also had fourth highest number of patients in NI with Stroke (2,680 patients) after GP Federations in Derry (3,991 patients) East Antrim (3,282), South West (2,749). (Source: DOH 2023)

THE NUFFIELD TRUST SAYS – URGENT NEED FOR SOUTHERN TRUST EXECUTIVE TEAM TO COMMIT TO THE DAISY HILL SITE

The Nuffield Trust Report also advised the Southern Trust that Public commitment to Daisy Hill Hospital from the Southern Trust Executive Team was urgently needed, writing: 

1.Public commitment to the DH Site – There is an urgent need for the Executive Team to commit to the DH site and to a long-term plan for the two sites to be developed.’
(Page 4)

As recommended by the impartial Nuffield Trust Report, the Southern Trust Executive Team needs to make a firm commitment to Daisy Hill Acute Hospital and develop a long term plan for its future development. 

Back in 2005 Labour Secretary of State to NI Peter Hain MP said that Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in Newry should have full investment and development, and as the people here will testify, it is long, long overdue.

REFERENCES AND LINKS

*The full Nuffield Trust Report 31st March 2023 can be read in the preview below or downloaded by clicking on the Download button underneath :

Nuffield-Trust-review-of-Northern-Ireland-provision-of-hospital-care (1) – CopyDownload

(This report is also available from the Southern Trust website.)

Who are the Nuffield Trust?

“The Nuffield Trust is an independent health think tank. We aim to improve the quality of health care in the UK by providing evidence-based research and policy analysis and informing and generating debate.” https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/about/what-we-do

POPULATION INFORMATION

Newry & District’s very large population size is proven by official data, as in 2023 Newry & District has the 2nd highest number of patients on GP registers in NI (with 160,615) after only Derry, including the 2nd highest number of children in NI under 18, with (36,228 ): (Source DOH 2023).

Newry Mourne and Down is the 3rd largest Council in NI with a population of 182,634.This includes 45,193 children under 18 and 31,473 over the age of 65 (NISRA 2022).

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

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

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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Daisy Hill Hospital for Life
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.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2025. 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.
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)

02.20.22
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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.

08.02.17
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Balanced Representation for Newry and Mourne population essential before Daisy Hill Hospital ED Pathfinder discussions

Balanced Representation for the population of Newry & Mourne is essential – before any initial Daisy Hill Hospital Pathfinder discussions on future Consultant led 24/7 Emergency Services and Acute services in Newry City.

 After initial inspection of the membership of the Pathfinder Project Group from the documents – we assert that it is unfairly balanced in favour of the Southern Trust (SHSCT)/Board management in overall membership. (See PIE CHART 1)

Initial suggested membership of Daisy Hill Hospital Emergency Department Pathfinder Group is unfairly balanced in favour of the Southern Trust and Health Board management

REDRESS THE BALANCE

To redress the planning and decision making balance, we are suggesting some immediate changes to the make-up of this Pathfinder Group before any community involvement is even considered, to ensure a level playing field with equal voting rights. This will ensure that community involvement is meaningful and actually impacts upon the decision making and is not merely a box ticking exercise.

NEED FOR EQUAL REPRESENTATION

As the Southern Trust Management feel they are entitled to choose 13 members including the Chair, we are also entitled to choose an EQUAL number of members representing the community of patients, service users, families, staff and politicians, from the Newry, Mourne and South Armagh Locality. (See PIE CHART 2)

Redress the balance of Daisy Hill Hospital Emergency Department Pathfinder Group with an equal number of members representing the community of patients, service users, families, staff and politicians, from the Newry, Mourne and South Armagh Locality

We need to make sure that this is a proper forum and not just a communications pilot exercise by the Southern Trust in their attempt to implement the criteria from the Bengoa Report and the Transformation Implementation Group’s agenda.

There is a responsibility on all sides to ensure the community’s views are gathered, recorded and represented fairly.

CONCLUSION

In view of the seriousness of the threat of change / withdrawal of life-saving ACUTE AND EMERGENCY Services for both children and adults; we are entitled to full consultation and fair representation on the Daisy Hill Hospital Pathfinder Group as shown in Pie Chart 2. The Pathfinder Group is also known as the ‘SHSCT Task and Finish Group.’

Why have we not been given a level playing field in voting rights and a proper consultation?  We need to be assured of equal voting rights and proper consultation immediately.

This is not an ‘exciting project’ for us – we are the people who will bear the brunt of the removal of ED services which deals with all life threatening Emergencies WHERE EVERY MINUTE COUNTS. The present and future lives and outcomes of everyone who needs ACUTE and ED Services in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital are worth fighting for.

We should not have to fight to get Acute & ED services which we have paid for, and is our right.

Background info:

Project Name: Daisy Hill Hospital Emergency Department Pathfinder Project With Identification of Regional Learning.

You can follow the Daisy Hill Acute Hospital campaign also by visiting and liking our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/daisyhillforlife/ – Thank you.

© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2017. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com and Daisy Hill for Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank-you!

This website is a free website from WordPress and adverts which appear here are not endorsed or controlled by the Web admin team of Save Daisy Hill Hospital.com

07.26.17
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DAISY HILL HOSPITAL ED PATHFINDER PROJECT – PROPOSALS 1

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

The people of Newry & Mourne have been invited to take part in Daisy Hill Hospital Emergency Pathfinder meetings with Dr Anne-Marie Telford to discuss how they can work with the Southern Trust:

“to develop a long term plan which will stabilise, safeguard and sustain local emergency care services.” 

We have some thoughts and proposals on this for you to consider – Are these meetings, instead of just being about the Emergency Department – also part of a verbal consultation by the Southern Trust and Health and Social Care Board that starts us on the Bengoa Report Reform, which includes the further change/withdrawal of services, without telling us?

It seems likely, as the Bengoa Report places Emergency & urgent care as Priority 1 : in most need of reform.

In this post we would like to suggest some questions which need answers, and put forward proposals for readers to consider. We think the proposals could be a good starting point to help tackle this concern.

hospital corridor

 

WHAT WILL THE COMMUNITY GAIN FROM TAKING PART IN THE PATHFINDER PROJECT?

What difference will these August meetings make to secure PERMANENT, LONG TERM Consultant- led 24/7 EMERGENCY & ACUTE services in Newry, Mourne and South Armagh Area Acute Hospital – Daisy Hill?

We request that the Southern Trust and Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) explain urgently to the public exactly what they are asking us to support by participating in the Pathfinder Project.  As it is not clear, we request the SHSCT and HSCB to publicly tell us what’s in it for us and WHAT IS AT STAKE before they ask us to participate in individual interviews with Dr Telford.

Daisy Hill Hospital Emergency Department is vital for stroke and life threatening emergencies

Proposals to help deal with the unanswered questions

WHAT WE CALL FOR:  (PROPOSAL 1)

(1) The Health Board/Trust /Public Health Authority host a PUBLIC MEETING in Newry City with the following agenda:

(a) To inform the public the clear purpose of the Pathfinder Project

(b) To give a clear explanation on exactly which services are being ‘changed or withdrawn’ from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital.

(c) Explain what progress the SHSCT recruitment team have made to date, with regard to recruitment for Daisy Hill Emergency Department.

(d) Tell us what Questions will be asked in the verbal interviews with Dr Anne-Marie Telford.

WHAT WE CALL FOR:  (PROPOSAL 2)

(2) We would like A FULL WRITTEN CONSULTATION (as part of the first 20 weeks of the Pathfinder Project) so we can make an informed decision before participating.

The 2 Proposals explained

(1) PUBLIC MEETING, hosted by the Health and Social Care Board/ Public Health Authority/ Southern Trust,  required to be held in Newry City to address and answer the following 4 important Questions.

(1a)What is the PURPOSE of the Pathfinder Project?

Before we consider participation in the Pathfinder Project – it would be mutually beneficial if the Southern Trust (SHSCT), Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) and Public Health Authority hold a public meeting in Newry City (in a suitable large venue) where they can openly explain to the wider public, hospital staff and Unions exactly what is the clear purpose of the Pathfinder Project. This is an opportunity for the SHSCT and HSCB to explain to the public their future long term plans for Newry Mourne and South Armagh Area Acute Hospital – Daisy Hill.

(1B) WHICH DAISY HILL ACUTE HOSPITAL SERVICES WILL BE AFFECTED?

Rather than using the blanket terms of ‘Acute and Emergency services’ in the Pathfinder Project Documents – we request that the Southern Trust and HSCB explain to us in plain language and define exactly which ‘ACUTE AND EMERGENCY CARE’ services in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital will be affected and will they be  changed or withdrawn?

Does the term ‘unscheduled care needs’ or ‘Acute and Emergency Care ’ mean all  scenarios including  children’s emergency, emergency surgery, stroke, heart, unavoidable accidents (work, school, home  and sporting accidents)? Does this also include emergency treatment for car accident victims and emergency caesareans where there is only 30 minutes to save the life of mother and baby? Under EU directives there must be a functioning hospital for mothers and babies. In addition – what ACUTE SERVICES are being affected?

What progress have the Southern Trust recruitment team made to date recruiting for Daisy Hill Emergency department?

(1C) WHAT PROGRESS HAVE THE RECRUITMENT TEAM MADE?

As the original issue publicly reported by the Southern Trust was RECRUITMENT of medical staff for DHH at night in the Summer months – At this public meeting we need to see the continued detailed efforts of the SHSCT Recruitment Team in finding medical staff for Daisy Hill ACUTE HOSPITAL. This must include the detailed job adverts for Craigavon Hospital as well as for Daisy Hill Hospital.

1 (d) We would also like the public meeting to advise us what Questions will be asked in the verbal meetings with Dr Anne-Marie Telford and how will this information be recorded/collated? How will this information be reported back to the Pathfinder group? What impact will it have?

(2) WE REQUEST A FULL WRITTEN CONSULTATION, and not just a verbal consultation

– a written consultation is our right under ‘Change or Withdrawal’ of services. While some may welcome the opportunity to attend a face to face consultation, not everyone will be able, or available to attend the meetings so there must be a written option too.

As part of ‘meaningful consultation’ – Under the 2009 Act on ‘change or withdrawal of services’ – we are entitled to 3 months WRITTEN PUBLIC CONSULTATION so we can make an informed decision BEFORE we participate in the Pathfinder Project. This written consultation must be included as part of the first 20 week period – as a ‘final decision’ is being made after 20 weeks. We need to know what impact will this ‘final decision’ have on ‘acute and emergency care services’ in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry City?

As part of this consultation document the Southern Trust and the HSCB should tell us in writing, exactly what service change they are planning and why, in clear terms.

We require a full written consultation for Daisy Hill Acute Hospital Emergency Pathfinder Project

A comparison with the Consultation into the Belfast Trust’s change in Adult Emergency Department services

This WRITTEN CONSULTATION must include OPTIONS for possible reconfiguration of services as was undertaken by the HSCB Board for withdrawal of Adult Emergency services in the urban areas of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust when ED services were only being moved (approx 1.2 miles down the road) from the City Hospital to the Royal. It is vital to note that in the Belfast consultation, the children’s emergency services were not threatened with closure. The HSCB Consultation in Belfast included detailed written explanation for the public.

Newry & Mourne, as the largest locality in the Southern Trust should have the same written public consultation as the population of the Belfast Trust – now- at the start of this 80 week project for the public to be meaningful involved from the start.

CONCLUSION

The united community of Newry and Mourne works together for Daisy Hill Acute Hospital

CALL TO ACTION: If you agree with these proposals/ideas:

Please write to the Chairperson/Mayor of Newry, Mourne & Down Council; Councillor Roisin Mulgrew and also to all our MPs, MLAs and Councillors who represent us, and ask for the following:

  1.  A PUBLIC MEETING hosted by the Health and Social Care Board/ Public Health Authority/ Southern Trust in Newry City addressing the 4 points in this post above.
  2. A written public consultation to accompany the Pathfinder Project in addition to the verbal meetings.

REFERENCES & CONTACT INFO for public representatives:

Newry Mourne & Down Council

Mayor of Newry, Mourne & Down Council; Councillor Roisin Mulgrew

By Post: Newry, Mourne & Down Council, Monaghan Row, Newry, BT35 8DJ, Northern Ireland.
By Email: roisin.mulgrew@nmandd.org
Newry, Mourne and Down Council Telephone: 0300 013 2233

Chief Executive; Mr Liam Hannaway at the same address or by email, care of: info@nmandd.org

Elected members (Councillors) :

http://www.newrymournedown.org/elected_members

MLAs; MP; MEPs

A List of our MLAs and MP, MEPs is available to view at: Write to them website

Newry & Armagh MLAs

Contact info: http://aims.niassembly.gov.uk/mlas/contacts.aspx

From this page, Filter by Constituency > Newry & Armagh

Then select Address> Constituency Offices for local contact addresses for MLAs.

Please EMAIL your councillors MLAs and MPs to support Daisy Hill Acute Hospital

Thank you for reading this post. Please share the proposals if you agree. We must all stay united and continue to support Daisy Hill Acute Hospital and its wonderful dedicated staff.

You can follow the Daisy Hill Acute Hospital campaign also by visiting and liking our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/daisyhillforlife/ – Thank you.

© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2017. We welcome the sharing of excerpts and links, provided that full and clear credit is given to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com and Daisy Hill for Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank-you!

This website is a free website from WordPress and adverts which appear here are not endorsed or controlled by the Web admin team of Save Daisy Hill Hospital.com

04.02.17
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Daisy Hill Acute Hospital Emergency department in the news

Daisy Hill Emergency Department served 53555+ people in 2016 - banner

The function of the Southern Trust is: ‘TO PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION AND SERVICES IN DAISY HILL HOSPITAL, ARMAGH HOSPITAL, SOUTH TYRONE HOSPITAL AND CRAIGAVON HOSPITAL’ (under the 2006 Establishment Order.) The SHSCT are paid £20 million per year of our public money and have 1,600+ admin staff to do this.

The Southern Trust have landed us with a very serious problem – by proposing that they may be unable to treat emergency patients in Daisy Hill Emergency Department at night. In response some councillors say they intend to bring an emergency motion to Newry, Mourne and Down Council meeting on Monday 3rd April 2017.

Help defend services at Daisy Hill Hospital

In 2015 the former Newry & Mourne District Council organised an excellent public meeting in Bellinis followed by a March of over 10,000 people

– please lobby all our Councillors to get Newry, Mourne and Down council to hold ANOTHER MEETING for ALL ACUTE SERVICES in DAISY HILL ACUTE HOSPITAL and insist on getting an answer from the HSCB.

Pre-paid Service

The Council ‘set rates’ which go towards paying for hospital services including Emergency services in this area. We are pre-paying for a service that the Southern Trust are now warning they may “temporarily suspend” at night in the Emergency Department with a weak excuse that they cannot get staff.

Equality of Access

For the sake of everyone in our community-including families and children and those who can’t speak up for their rights -we demand 24/7 equality of access to hospital accommodation and services at Daisy Hill Acute Hospital – as is our right. If the Department can find £11.7 million for electrical infrastructure for Craigavon Hospital – they can find funds to staff DHH A&E 24/7.Childrens services must be kept at Daisy Hill Acute hospital, New

Action

As a community we also need to write again to the HSCB and Public Health Authority (PHA) quoting their own information. The booklet given to us at the meetings as part of the Consultation on Criteria for Reconfiguration Health and Social Care Services (pg 23) (link at end of comment to document** )states: The Role of the HSCB is: “as the lead commissioner, the Health and Social Care Board, working with the Public Health Agency, has the primary responsibility for assessing the needs of the population at local and regional level and for setting the strategic direction for services provision in response to those needs.”

Public Involvement in Decision Making

Also page 24 shows the part we can play in this decision making. A direct quote from this document states Under Change or Withdrawal of services: “Personal and Public Involvement: Patients, clients, carers and communities should be at the centre of decision making in health and social care. This means that they must be MEANINGFULLY INVOLVED in the planning, delivery and evaluation of their services.

HSC BODIES are ACCOUNTABLE to people and communities for the quality, ACCESSIBILITY and responsiveness of the services they plan and provide…. the Reform Act places “ A STATUTORY requirement on all HSC bodies to INVOLVE AND CONSULT THE PUBLIC ABOUT PROPOSALS AND DECISIONS in the planning, commissioning and delivery of health and social care services.”(pg 24 Consultation on Criteria for Reconfiguring Health and Social Care Services**: see link below)

In view of this, they are not entitled – in a take it or leave it attitude to tell us they can’t get staff IN NEWRY ONLY and how they are going to spend our public money on hospital services while still continuing to spend our allocated MONEY ON HOSPITAL SERVICES ELSEWHERE. We are entitled to EQUALITY OF ACCESS to 24/7 Emergency Care in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital – we are being given unfavourable treatment in comparison to the people of Craigavon locality who are not being denied 24/7 access to Emergency services.

Newry & Mourne presently has the 4th highest population in NI and will have the 3rd highest population in NI by 2023 after only Belfast and Lisburn. The Health needs of Newry & Mourne Locality (one locality- which includes South Armagh) – the largest population in the Southern Trust can be ignored no longer. We deserve the same hospital services as are provided in Altnagelvin.

The Southern Trust cannot be allowed to wash their hands of their responsibility to provide Emergency Services at Daisy Hill Acute Hospital (at night) – like they did with our responses to the Stroke Consultation. They are not allowed to put people’s lives at risk.

Please share the news with friends, family everyone you know including Councillors, MLAs and MPs.

Daisy Hill Hospital A and E Department is vital for stroke and lif

An Ultimatum with no alternatives?

If Daisy Hill Acute Hospital Emergency Department closes at night – where are we supposed to go? THEY CANNOT GIVE US AN ULTIMATUM WITH NO ALTERNATIVES.

Where are ambulances supposed to bring dying stroke and coronary care patients as well as children and all other emergencies?

How can they possibly close DHH A&E at night when: in 2016 – 53,556 people attended Daisy Hill Acute Hospital Emergency Department. So who is going to treat these emergency patients – men, women, babies and children?

What happens to the people who are waiting in A&E when they close the doors? People will die as a result of this. NO EXCUSES can justify refusing to treat emergency patients (including stroke) WITH NO NEARBY ALTERNATIVE.

Daisy Hill Emergency Department served 53555+ people in 2016 - bannerWaiting Stats in other Emergency Departments

Belfast and Craigavon Hospitals are the nearest Emergency Departments but in 2016- in Craigavon Hospital 26,594 people waited between 5 to 12 hours and 369 people waited over 12 hours to be seen in the Emergency Department so we can’t possibly be expected to go there in pain – particularly at night.

Also, in the year 2016 in the Royal A&E, 32,664 people waited to be seen between 5 to 12 hours and 698 people waited over 12 hours to be seen in the Emergency Department.

For the same year ending Dec 2016 in Antrim Hospital A&E –27,608 people waited between 5 to 12 hours and 1,558 people waited over 12 hours in A&E to be seen .

There is obviously a shortage of A&E staff everywhere but the Southern Trust inexcusably seem to think only the Newry & Mourne Locality can do without emergency services at night.

Daisy Hill Hospital is an acute hospital in Newry

Daisy Hill Hospital – designated Acute hospital in Newry.

Conclusion

Daisy Hill is a designated acute hospital and MUST have an Emergency Department. The Southern Trust will be responsible for creating a serious equality and public safety issue if their latest proposals go ahead.

Please lobby all our Councillors. As the Council is our representative – request that they hold a public meeting and demand answers from the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) and the Public Health Authority (PHA) and the Department and insist on getting answers. Thank you for supporting Daisy Hill acute Hospital.

BACKGROUND INFO:

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/…/hsc-reconfiguration-consulta… **(link to info provided at Department of Health Meeting – go to Annex A, p23 and 24, Section 7: Personal and Public Involvement, “HSC bodies are accountable to people and communities for the quality, accessibility and responsiveness of the services they plan and provide….

See newrytimes.com and other press for news of proposed emergency motion at council meeting .

You can follow the Daisy Hill Acute Hospital campaign also by visiting and liking our FaceBook page at https://www.facebook.com/daisyhillforlife/ – Thank you.

© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2017. We welcome sharing and use of Excerpts and links, provided that full and clear credit is given to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com and Daisy Hill for Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank-you!

This website is a free website from WordPress and adverts which appear here are not endorsed or controlled by the Web admin team of Save Daisy Hill Hospital.com