Tag Archives: Daisy Hill Emergency Department Pathfinder Group

09.03.20
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TIME TO OPEN DAISY HILL HOSPITAL ED NOW!

The Southern Trust must fast track their plans to open Daisy Hill Hospital ED at once, now that Craigavon Hospital has unfortunately fallen victim to COVID-19 clusters, which were reported on BBC NI News 01.09.2020.

Time is now opportune for the Southern Trust and Southern Local Commissioning Group to prove the truth of the rhetoric to the Southern Trust population how much an essential part of the hospital network, Daisy Hill in Newry is, by reopening the Emergency Department (ED) at once.

Reinstate Daisy Hill Newry into NI regional Network -infographic 5 localities in Southern Trust. Newry&Mourne locality is the largest land area with the highest population in the Southern Trust and is still waiting for its ED to be restored.


“Daisy Hill Hospital is based in the city of Newry and is an essential part of the hospital network provided by the Southern Trust and has been ranked as a CHKS Top 40 Hospital.” (Southern Trust 2017).

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

END OF SEPTEMBER NOT SOON ENOUGH TO OPEN ED

The Southern Trust stated on 24.08.2020 that work is progressing to reopen Daisy Hill ED on a 24/7 basis by the end of September.
The Southern Trust Chief Executive has been asked repeatedly to open the ED and the end of September is not soon enough. It is vital to save lives that this date is brought forward to show how effectively they can manage their hospital network.

Daisy Hill 24/7 Type 1 ED was closed on 28th March 2020 – with little warning – so after 6 months to prepare – it is well past time it is reopened, especially given the current circumstance of several covid-19 clusters in Craigavon Hospital.

Mr Shane Devlin praised “The dedication and flexibility of staff during this time has been remarkable” (Southern Trust statement 24.08.2020). This is true of all Southern Trust staff, and especially of Daisy Hill staff who showed immense flexibility by also changing their workplace to Craigavon – but now given the changing circumstances and given the sheer population of Newry & Mourne and beyond – it makes sense that the Southern Trust uses the resources, facilities and staff available in the most sensible way now.

Reinstate Daisy Hill Newry into NI regional Network -infographic 5 localities in Southern Trust. Newry&Mourne locality is the largest land area with the highest population in the Southern Trust and is still waiting for its ED to be restored.

The Diagram and map shows the size of the Southern Trust and the 2 acute hospitals which operate in this Network. It should be noted that Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry is in Newry & Mourne with the largest population (106,499) and largest land mass (898.3 square Km) of all the 5 localities in the Southern Trust area.

Craigavon covers only 281.5 sq Km with less of a population of (102,566) in 2019. (All stats from NISRA) .The map shows the 5 localities / (former) local government districts/LGDs that still remain in the operational area of the Southern Trust, according to its founding legislation.

ED IS A REGIONAL SERVICE

The 106,499 population of Newry & Mourne are being denied time critical access to a Type 1 Emergency Department in a functioning acute hospital, since 28th March 2020 in Newry City.

As they have paid for Regional and Local Urgent and Emergency and acute services through their Regional Rates and Taxes, the population of Newry & Mourne (as well as all of the rest of the population across NI) are entitled to avail of the 24/7 Regional ED Services being provided by the Royal Group of Hospitals including the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, who have shorter waiting times.

The Southern Trust have a duty of care (under their founding legislation) to provide hospital services in Daisy Hill, Newry – not repeatedly take them away to Craigavon.

Daisy Hill’s Emergency Department has been a vital part of the Northern Ireland Network of Type 1 Emergency Departments for the past 17 years.

The Southern Trust have to end the uncertainty and anxiety caused to the population of Newry & Mourne by the removal of vital ED Services and return Daisy Hills ED and Specialist Staff back to Newry as a matter of urgency.

Sources:
Population Stats NISRA 2019
Land Mass Figures – NISRA
Southern Trust Statement 24th August 2020
Craigavon Area Hospital: Third Covid-19 outbreak confirmed, Louise Cullen BBC News NI, 01.09.2020
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-53989892

PATIENTS ON DOCTORS REGISTERS (NISRA 2018)
Derry: 122,280 under 5’s: 8,943
Newry & Mourne: 116,378: under 5’s: 9,481
Craigavon: 105,295 under 5’s: 8,504
Dungannon: 66,848 under 5’s: 5,746
Armagh: 67,930 under 5’s: 5,487
Banbridge: 51,494 under 5’s: 3,927

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08.02.20
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Put Daisy Hill acute Hospital, Newry & Mourne and its Type 1 ED for children and adults back on the map!

Childrens services must be kept at Daisy Hill Acute hospital, New
MRI scanner for Daisy Hill Acute Hospital Newry in 2018
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.

Newry, the main Gateway City to NI now, and after we leave the EU, is being denied its rightful place in the Rebuilding of Health and Social Care Services, by the people who are paid to include them.

The graphics which follow show THERE IS NO OTHER Type 1 ED Department in NI that can be accessed within one hour by a third of the population of Newry & Mourne/South Armagh – 38,000 people. 

That is why Newry City’s Acute Hospital, Daisy Hill’s ED department was designated in 2003 with 8 other EDs across NI  to form a Regional network of  9 Type1 EDs , vital to ensure equality of access within one hour 24/7  to Consultant-led urgent and emergency Care to everyone in NI , no matter where they live – urban and rural.

The Southern Trust needs to take its responsibilities to the Newry & Mourne/South Armagh population seriously and be accountable for their actions.   The function of the Southern Trust is to provide hospital accommodation and services in Newry City in Newry & Mourne – the largest administrative area in the Southern Trust.

Their function DOES NOT include the removal of Daisy Hill’s Emergency Department (ED)  from  the long  established Designated Regional network of  the nine  24/7 Type 1 ED Departments of Daisy Hill, Royal Group , Antrim, Ulster, Causeway,  Mater, Altnagelvin, Craigavon,  and  S.W. Acute Hospitals,  which provided a seamless web of ED care to all of the people of NI over the past 17 years.

The Southern Trust shut down Daisy Hill’s Type 1 ED, at a days notice, without consultation, or any adherence to Equality, Rural Needs, Human Rights, Disability legislation. This Type 1 ED in Daisy Hill Hospital is the only one serving the population of the Southern part of NI one hour drive-time ED Network.

GRAPHICS/MAPS

The accompanying Graphics ‘Drive Times to Nearest Type 1 ED’ show the effect the removal of Daisy Hill ED from the existing network of Nine Type1 EDs across NI has on the Population of Newry & Mourne.

The Department of Health/Public Health Agency and Southern Trust are aware of the importance of this Drive Time information as it was previously analysed and published in the Department’s Pathfinder Project Report and Appendices in 2017. The map in the graphic is a scaled drawn reproduction of the report’s map*(See end for source).

Put Daisy Hill acute hospital Newry & its Type 1 ED for children and adults back on the map! Newry, the main Gateway City to NI now, and after we leave the EU, is being denied its rightful place in the Rebuilding of Health and Social Care Services, by the people who are paid to include them.

GRAPHIC 1: Drive Time shows approx Drive time to a Type 1 ED across the Southern Trust and wider area when Daisy Hill ED is excluded. It shows that people living in Armagh, Craigavon, Lisburn, and all across the greater Belfast Area are all within a 30 minute car drive time of a Type1 ED. This is as well as being only 30 min Drive time to all other Type 1 EDs in acute hospitals in Belfast). It also shows that Newry & Mourne is most badly affected by removal of Daisy Type 1 Hill ED.

GRAPHIC 2: Focus on Newry & Mourne – Drive Time  – focuses in detail at the map showing the area of Newry and Mourne. The Rural areas of the Mournes and South Armagh are most affected without Daisy Hill ED.

Nearly 38,000 people in Newry & Mourne denied right to access a Type 1 ED within 1 hour

Nearly 38,000 people in Newry & Mourne denied right to access a Type 1 ED within 1 hour

Graphic 2 shows the area of Newry & Mourne affected with added reference to Electoral Ward populations. Without DHH ED the population of the following electoral wards have to travel 75 to 90 minutes+ to get to a 24/7 TYPE 1 ED in an emergency situation.

Focus on Newry and Mourne -Drivetime to nearest Type 1 ED when Daisy Hill ED is excluded

OVER 75 MINUTES DRIVETIME TO GET TO A 24/7 TYPE 1 ED (coloured dark orange on maps): see key

1 : Annalong: 2. Binnion  3 :  Kilkeel Central 4 :  Kilkeel South 5 : Lisnacree 6 : Rostrevor 

60 TO 75 MINUTES+   DRIVE TIME TO GET TO A 24/7 TYPE 1 ED.  (coloured dark yellow on maps): see key:

7:  Spelga  8 : Kilbroney 9 : Seaview  10 : Clonallan 11:  Crossmaglen 12 : Creggan  13 :Silverbridge 14: Forkhill

These times are only estimates. Only those of us who have had to make the journey to the nearest ED know exactly how long the journey takes.

Nearly 38,000 people in Newry & Mourne denied right to access a Type 1 ED within 1 hour
The Rural areas of the Mournes and South Armagh are most affected without Daisy Hill ED.
Graphic 2 shows the area of Newry & Mourne affected with added reference to Electoral Ward populations. Without DHH ED the population of the following electoral wards have to travel 75 to 90 minutes+ to get to a 24/7 TYPE 1 ED in an emergency situation.

The Southern Trust’s has a centralisation policy of provision of all medical and surgical Urgent and Emergency Services.  Because of this Southern Trust policy – approximately 38,000 people in Newry & Mourne (including South Armagh) since 28th March 2020, have been potentially denied their right to access immediate life saving care in a Type 1 ED within one hour Drive time from their homes. This includes 8,403 children and 5,914 aged 65+.  (Population data from latest NISRA estimated 2019 stats).

REBUILDING PLANS:

Southern Trust made an agreement with other Health Trusts and the Department of Health NI that they will:

(1) Ensure Equity of Access for the treatment of patients across Northern Ireland  (2) Minimise transmission of Covid-19; and (3) Protect access to the most urgent services for our population.

By shutting down and refusing to reopen Newry City’s Type 1 ED department the Southern Trust  have not ensured “Equity of Access” for the treatment of patients across NI and have denied approx 38,000 men, women and children in Newry and Mourne access to time critical  immediate Urgent and Emergency Car within an hour. 

They have also destroyed the existing 17 years Regional network of 9 Type1 EDs being provided by all the other Trusts.

JUST LIKE NEWRY AND DAISY HILL WAS LEFT OUT OF THE STROKE CONSULTATION OPTIONS

Like with the Stroke consultation (where all Stroke care  was centralised to Craigavon from Newry), the Southern Trust has again wrongly left Daisy Hill out –  this time out of the Regional Plans for Urgent and Emergency  and other services in their Rebuilding Health and Social Care services plans.

STAND YOUR GROUND

A Clear future for Daisy Hill Acute Hospital - Newry city
HyperAcute Stroke Unit for Daisy Hill -Newry and Mourne/South Armagh Area Hospital Reshaping Stroke Care Consultation 2019

It is on record that there has been a hospital in Newry caring for anyone in need of immediate life saving services for the past 175 years, through famine, wars and the Cholera epidemic.

It took the Southern Trust, to remove its caring specialist staff at a days notice, from Newry to Craigavon, when they were needed most in Newry, during the Covid 19 pandemic, leaving the entire population of Newry & Mourne without a lifeline in Newry city to time critical Urgent and Emergency Care.                                          

All Politicians, Unions, community representatives and individuals.  Please stand your ground to get what is rightfully ours because we have paid for it.  

Time for Investment for Newry +Mourne LGD 2020

The Department of Health get £5 billion to improve the health and social Care of all of the people of NI who need healthcare no matter where they live. Together we will stand our ground to get Newry, the Gateway City to NI and Newry & Mourne/South Armagh firmly back on the map.

Background:

*Map –  (Source: Appendices – Daisy Hill Hospital Pathfinder Project – Development of an Unscheduled Care Model through a Co-Production Approach, 20th December 2017.  Appendix 2 – Population Needs Assessment – Report of the Needs Assessment Figure 6-2: Drivetime Analysis for NI – DHH ED excluded. Pg 87/88.)

TYPE 1 Emergency 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.

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital with 24/7 Type 1 ED in Newry is in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area.

The Golden Hour in stroke is well supported by Clinical Evidence

RELEVANT RESEARCH

Extensive research by ‘Developing Better Services’ Report 2003 found that only a total of 9 EDs would ensure the entire population of NI had access WITHIN ONE HOUR to immediate urgent and emergency care no matter where they lived in both urban or rural areas.

Newry & Mourne is the largest locality of the 5 localities in the operational area of the Southern Trust. The five localities in consistent order of population size since the establishment of the Southern Trust in 2007 are: (1) Newry & Mourne (2) Craigavon (3) Armagh (4) Dungannon and (5) Banbridge.

Official statistics, as presented by NISRA must determine where Specialist acute Hospitals are located in NI.

GOVERNMENT CONSTITUENCY INFO

Newry & Mourne Locality is in Two Westminster and NI Assembly constituencies: Newry Armagh and South Down.  17 Wards are in the Newry Armagh Constituency and 13 Wards from Newry & Mourne are in South Down Constituency.

NEWRY & ARMAGH CONSTITUENCY: Daisy Hill, Drumalane, St Marys, St Patrick’s, Windsor Hill, Drumgullion, Ballybot, Newtownhamilton, Camlough, Derrymore, Bessbrook, Tullyhappy, Crossmaglen, Creggan, Silverbridge, Forkhill, Fathom.

SOUTH DOWN CONSTITUENCY:  13 electoral wards of Newry & Mourne are in South Down Constituency.

Spelga, Rostrevor, Sea View, Clonallan, Burren & Kilbroney, Mayobridge, Derryleckagh, Annalong, Binnion, Kilkeel Central, Kilkeel South,  Lisnacree,  and Donaghmore:
49,000 of the Newry & Mourne population are in the South Down Constituency.

Southern Trust Rebuild Phase 2 Plan available here: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/shsct-plan-2.pdf

Links to all Trust Rebuild Plans 2020 here:

 https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/rebuilding-hsc-services

Link to Rural Needs Act:  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2016/19/pdfs/nia_20160019_en.pdf

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

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

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09.24.17
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Time for Health Chiefs to recognise the size and need of the Newry & Mourne locality

The Hospital/ healthcare needs of the Newry & Mourne population must finally be recognised by those who Provide and Commission Services and they need to provide the services IN THE AREA WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED.

This should not be news, as it is obvious to most! But it is news – because those in charge of commissioning these services for Newry & Mourne seem blind to these basic facts.

Newry and Mourne has the highest population and greatest need so must have acute hospital services in Newry and Mourne

Newry & Mourne (one locality or LGD) is projected to have the 3rd highest population in NI by 2023 and has always been (since pre 2008) the largest locality in the Southern Trust, with the GREATEST POPULATION and GREATEST NEED.

Those commissioning health services NOW need to recognise the size of our existing (and growing population) and the lack of capital investment in provision of hospital buildings, acute specialist hospital services, provision of hospital beds and specialist medical staff in the Newry & Mourne area, in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, including in the Emergency Department.

Investment for Newry & Mourne must be as intensive as investment for Craigavon which has a smaller population.

New investment in acute specialist hospital services, hospital beds and specialist medical staff is due in the Newry & Mourne area, in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, including in the Emergency Department.

The PATHFINDER NEEDS ASSESSMENT GROUP must also accept this in the needs assessment which they have sent to the Department of Health.

ASSESSMENT OF NEED MUST BE BASED ON ACCURATE POPULATION STATISTICS

Assessment of need must be based on ACCURATE local government NISRA statistics which show Newry & Mourne with the HIGHEST POPULATION in the Southern Trust.

It should NOT be based on numbers of patients being ADMITTED to Daisy Hill Acute Hospital through the Emergency Department.

These figures do not reflect the need here, rather they reflect the lack of beds in the Emergency Department and medical emergency beds.

The Southern Trust have a duty of care to Emergency and Acute patients to provide enough specialist acute services, medical staff and hospital beds in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, as they do in Craigavon hospital.

Here are some facts about our area THAT CAN BE IGNORED NO LONGER. >

These facts and figures show the greatest need for provision of Acute specialist Hospital and Emergency Services and outpatients clinics is in Newry & Mourne and South Armagh. These services must be provided in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry City.

NEWRY & MOURNE LOCALITY (LGD) KEY FACTS

(1) Newry & Mourne is projected to have the 3RD HIGHEST POPULATION IN NI by 2023.

(2) Newry & Mourne has ALWAYS had the highest population of the 5 localities in the Southern Trust since pre 2008.

(3) Newry & Mourne has ALWAYS had THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF BIRTHS in the Southern Trust.

(4) Newry & Mourne has ALWAYS had THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF CHILDREN (under 18) in the Southern Trust.

(5) Newry & Mourne in 2016/17 had the highest number of deaths (of under 75s) in the Southern Trust.

THE LIST GOES ON…

DAISY HILL ACUTE HOSPITAL KEY FACTS

There were 259 emergency caesareans in Daisy Hill in 2016/17.

  • In the same year there were 2,420 children admitted through the Emergency Department as inpatients.
  • There were 11,256 inpatients of all ages admitted to Daisy Hill Hospital in 2016/17 through its Medical Emergency Department.
  • Over 52,000 people attended Daisy Hill Emergency Department last year.

CONCLUSION – TIME TO REDRESS THE BALANCE!

These key facts have NOT been accepted by those whose duty it is to commission and provide services, but NOW IS THE TIME TO REDRESS THE BALANCE – it is time for Newry & Mourne to have its correct share of funding.

Any need assessment must accurately represent Newry & Mourne as the largest population in the Southern Trust with greatest need.

The population of Newry Mourne Locality (which includes South Armagh) need acute specialist hospital services, medical staff and hospital beds NOW in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry City.

investment in hospital buildings, acute specialist hospital services, hospital beds and specialist medical staff is needed in the Newry & Mourne area, in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, including in the Emergency Department.

Background Info:

ROLE OF HSCB:

The HSCB Health and Social Care Board through the Southern Local Commissioning Group have to ASSESS HEALTH AND HOSPITAL NEEDS of the FIVE localities or Local Government Districts (LGDs) of Newry & Mourne; Craigavon; Dungannon; Banbridge and Armagh under the 2009 Act.

Their job is to ASSESS NEED and TARGET RESOURCES to those local Government District areas (LGDs) WHERE IT IS MOST NEEDED.

The HSCB must understand the health needs and size of our population and identify inequalities in health and access to services here.

Any needs assessment undertaken must identify and ACT ON health needs in the Newry & Mourne Locality (including South Armagh) and provide specialist acute hospital services ( including in the Emergency Department ) in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry City, to address these inequalities.

Daisy Hill Hospital for Life, Daisy Hill acute hospital, Newry city.

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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!

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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.

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