by Admin 4

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

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

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

WHY REPLYING TO THIS CONSULTATION IS IMPORTANT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

How to take part in the Consultation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

04.03.23

by Admin 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMPORTANT RELATED CONTENT

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

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

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

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

03.26.23

by Admin 4

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

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

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

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

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

TIME FOR ACTION – EMERGENCY COUNCIL MEETING AND MARCH NEEDED

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DAISY HILL HOSPITAL, NEWRY CITY IS NOT BEING TREATED FAIRLY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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01.29.23

by Admin 4

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

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

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

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

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

COMPARISON

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CONCLUSION AND SOLUTION

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

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

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

BACKGROUND

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

DEFINITIONS OF THE THREE SEPERATE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS

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

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

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

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

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

Type 2: Lagan Valley, Downe

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

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

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

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© Daisy Hill 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 Admin 4

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

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

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

BACKGROUND:

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

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

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

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

IMPORTANT STATS

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

These GP Registers state:

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

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

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

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

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

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

and

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

06.23.22

by Admin 4

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

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

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

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

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE PART IN THIS CONSULTATION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HOW TO RETURN YOUR COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE TO THE CONSULTATION BY EMAIL

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

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

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

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

Write your message and finally click Send

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH NI CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS LINK

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

Closing Date: Friday 1^st July 2022 at 5pm

WAYS TO RESPOND:

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

By Online Questionnaire > Using :

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

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

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

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

DEMOGRAPHICS

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

2. COST OF LIVING

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

3. ECONOMY & JOBS

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

4. CLIMATE CHANGE

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

5. RURAL PROOFING

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

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

*BACKGROUND 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BACKGROUND 2

ROAD ACCIDENTS:

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

(1) Fatal collisions ,

(2) Serious collisions and

(3) Number of Seriously injured

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

ROAD ACCIDENTS – CHILD CASUALITIES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You can keep making a difference for Daisy Hill!

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

06.14.22

by Admin 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Time for Investment for Newry +Mourne LGD 2020

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

PROPOSED LOCATIONS FOR URGENT AND EMERGENCY CARE SERVICES

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

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

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

STROKE IS A MAJOR 999 EMERGENCY

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

Act FAST Stroke - HyperAcute Stroke Unit for Newry 2019

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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01.15.20

by Admin 4

NI Health Crisis – Cut in Specialist Acute Hospitals & their Uneven spread since 1995 is a major factor

Nurses and Health Workers in N. Ireland strike for pay parity, safe staffing levels Dec2019

2019 ended with Northern Ireland’s Health Care in crisis: Patient Waiting lists at record highs, healthcare workers on strike over pay and staffing levels, Nurses from the Royal College of Nursing on strike for the first time in its 103 year history. This ‘crisis’ is recognised by the Royal College of Surgeons, the Royal College of Nursing and Health Unions

NI Nurses and Health Workers province-wide strike January 2020

Health Care workers on strike here have been short changed in comparison with the rest of the UK, on pay and staffing levels. But in terms of Acute Hospital Care, are people in Northern Ireland being treated fairly in the number and location of specialist acute hospitals?

Before NI can start to fix the current Health Care Crisis –some background is necessary to find out how it got to this point.

There were 19 Acute hospitals in NI in 1995 as the map below, reproduced from The Department of Health’s Regional Strategy (1997 – 2002) shows.

Hospital map Northern Ireland with populations 1995 -shows acute hospitals.

According to the Department of Health:

“If the ratio of acute hospitals to population which currently obtains in England were applied to Northern Ireland (1,649,131 in 1995) there would be no more than 10 acute hospitals in NI. Thus many acute hospitals in NI serve much smaller populations than acute hospitals in England.”
Dept. of Health for Northern Ireland Regional Strategy (1997 – 2002)

Direct Rule Health Minister Mr Moss stated in a Hansard Report 5 March 1997:

“The Department’s Regional Strategy for 1997 to 2002 was published last year and envisaged specialised acute hospital services being built around the cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s six major hospitals- the Royal Victoria hospital, the Belfast City hospital, Craigavon, Antrim, Altnagelvin and the Ulster.”

It clearly states also that:

“While investment where appropriate will be made in other hospitals, it is expected that those SIX HOSPITALS will provide the main focus for FUTURE INVESTMENT in INPATIENT FACILITIES.”
Dept. of Health for Northern Ireland Regional Strategy (1997 – 2002) p65

These 6 hospitals out of 19 hospitals were envisaged as specialist acute hospitals, because of hospital size, NOT based on where the largest settlements of population lived, compared to England who the strategy stated would have 10 hospitals for a population the size of NI (1,649,131). The mid-year 1995 NISRA populations (Table) prove this.

They show that Daisy Hill acute Hospital, Newry & Mourne LGD – the FOURTH largest population (84,035) in NI, and Lisburn LGD (106,583), the SECOND Largest population in NI were COMPLETELY IGNORED for consideration as one of 6 major acute hospitals, while 3 other acute hospitals serving SMALLER populations in the local Government Districts of Craigavon, (population 77,689) Antrim (48,489), and Castlereagh (64,616) were listed for preservation.

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.

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.

Accurate population demographics, as provided by NISRA must inform health planning and future investment in inpatient facilities across NI

This trend of ignoring population size has continued into the present (as the next post will show), so to truly combat the Northern Ireland wide health crisis – ACCURATE DEMOGRAPHICS provided by NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) must inform health planning. This includes using these official statistics, as presented by NISRA to determine WHERE Specialist acute Hospitals and specialist inpatient and outpatient acute services are located.

Acute Hospital accommodation and services are paid for through Rates and Taxes by everyone, irrespective of where they live in NI – Urban or Rural, everyone is entitled to equality of access to Hospital Care.

Further posts will look at the present and future NI Demographics in relation to location of acute hospital provision.

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

BACKGROUND
A Short History – Pre Centralisation – In 1995 there were 19 ACUTE HOSPITALS in Northern Ireland. (See Map or Full List at End of post.)

1995: All NI population: 1,649,131*

1995: 15 LARGEST POPULATION SETTLEMENTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND (Statistics from NISRA*)

(1st) Belfast: 288,932; (2nd) Lisburn: 106,583; (3rd) Derry: 102,123; (4th) Newry & Mourne: 84,035 (5th) Newtownabbey: 78, 426; (6th) Craigavon: 77,689 (7th) North Down: 75,519 (8th) Ards: 68,462 (9th) Castlereagh: 64,616 (10th) Down: 61,441.
[(11th) Ballymena: 58,039 (12th) Fermanagh: 55,405 (13th) Coleraine: 54,176, (14th): Armagh: 52,675 (15th) Antrim: 48,809 [NISRA]*

19 ACUTE HOSPITALS IN 1995 NI (Alphabetical order)
Altnagelvin (Derry); Antrim; Ards; Banbridge; Causeway (Coleraine); City (Belfast); Craigavon; Daisy Hill (Newry); Downe; Erne (Enniskillen); Lagan Valley (Lisburn) ; Mater (Belfast); Mid-Ulster(Magherafelt); Route (Ballymoney); Royal Group (Belfast); South Tyrone; Tyrone County (Omagh); Ulster (Castlereagh); Whiteabbey (Newtownabbey).

Sources:
NI Regional Strategy for Health and Social Wellbeing (1997- 2002) ‘Health and Wellbeing into the Next Millennium’

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11.25.19

by Admin 4

NI Stroke Consultation: Call for Dept. of Health to Assess for Population Health and Rural Needs as Next phase of Work

Dept.of Health NI have stated in Hospital Reconfiguration Update Nov 2019 that 19,000 responses were submitted to NI ‘Reshaping Stroke Care’ Centralisation proposals and 4,500 responses received on proposed centralisation of NI Reshaping Breast Assessment Services.

The Department’s plans to proceed after these two consultations differ radically with a plan to carry out a Population Health Needs Assessment for BREAST ASSESSMENT but NOT FOR STROKE SERVICES.

The two statements on (1) Stroke and (2) Breast Assessment services appear below.
(1) Statement on ‘Reshaping Stroke Care’ services:

“A consultation on improving stroke services to improve outcomes launched in March 2019. The consultation document set out seven commitments to improve stroke care across the stroke pathway, alongside six potential options for the establishment of a hyperacute stroke network in Northern Ireland.
19,000 consultation responses were received. The Department is currently analysing consultation responses to inform the development of a preferred model for stroke care.”
Dept. of Health NI (DoH) 2019 Hospital Reconfiguration Update

(2) Statement on ‘Reshaping Breast Assessment Services’ :
“A consultation on proposals to improve breast assessment services ran from 25 March to 30 August 2019.
Over 4,500 responses have been received. The Department is currently analysing all responses. This will help to inform the next phase of work to review breast cancer treatment services which is commencing with a Population Needs Assessment. Further details will be announced in the weeks ahead.
Dept. of Health NI (DoH) 2019 Hospital Reconfiguration Update

POPULATION HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT VITAL FOR BOTH STROKE SERVICES AND BREAST CANCER SERVICES.

The Department’s plan to carry out a “Population Health Needs Assessment” for Breast Cancer services as a next phase of work is a good proposal, but where is the plan to carry out a Population Health Needs Assessment for specialist emergency, inpatient, outpatient and rehabilitation treatment for Stroke Services covering the complete stroke pathway – across NI? THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ONE.

A failure to carry out accurate Population Needs Assessments for health services is a recurring theme in the Southern Trust area – NO NEEDS ASSESSMENT WAS UNDERTAKEN as part of the SOUTHERN TRUST STROKE CONSULTATION in 2014.

Despite this, the 2016 Full Bengoa Expert Panel Report used the controversial proposed removal of Specialist Acute Stroke services, and its specialist Acute Stroke staff, from Daisy Hill acute Hospital in Newry as the prime local Case Study for Centralising Stroke Services in NI.

The full Bengoa Report inappropriately promoted (quote below) the choice of Craigavon Hospital for a Specialist Stroke Unit, singled out ahead of all other NI hospitals, and WITH NO NEEDS ASSESSMENT.

This was proposed to make sure that Craigavon could have a 24/7 specialist Stroke Centre leaving Daisy Hill Newry without its existing life saving combined specialist Acute Rehabilitation Stroke Unit and its valuable specialist stroke staff.

“In 2014…, a decision was taken to create a single specialist stroke inpatient unit within the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, at Craigavon Area Hospital. The Trust is proposing to provide a consistent and specialist service 24/7 in one centre rather than spreading the specialist team of staff across four sites. Daisy Hill Hospital will continue to provide ongoing rehabilitation and support through community stroke teams working to a regionally agreed care model.”
Bengoa Expert Panel 2016 (Full Report) (pg 72/ 73).

WHY ASSESS NEED?

Population Needs Assessments are widely recognised as a statutory requirement for health commissioning across the UK to ensure fairness and to reduce inequalities. A Needs Assessment is absolutely vital to ensure that immediate access to stroke services is available for all NI stroke patients – not just those attending hospitals confirmed in all six options in the urban areas of in and around Belfast namely the Royal, Craigavon and Altnagelvin.

POPULATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT DATA MUST USE OFFICIAL NISRA STATISTICS

This Needs Assessment must be undertaken using accurate NISRA Local Government Districts Demographics – not by using (1) imaginary theoretical demand of 600 stroke patients to certain hospitals or (2) Integrated Care Partnerships (which vary across local government districts).

Neither is an accurate statistical representation of the POPULATION health needs of an area.

DEPT. OF HEALTH N.I. ARE FAILING TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH NEEDS OF NEWRY & MOURNE POPULATION

(1) Newry & Mourne LGD is consistently the HIGHEST POPULATION IN THE SOUTHERN TRUST OPERATIONAL AREA

(2) Newry & Mourne LGD is consistently the 4TH HIGHEST POPULATION IN NI -SINCE c1972

Newry and Mourne locality has always been the largest population of the 5 localities (LGDs) in the Southern Trust and must have investment for a Specialist Acute Hospital.

The DOH, PHA, HSCB and Commissioners need to take action to assess Population Health Needs and provide services for Newry & Mourne former LGD , (which includes South Armagh) both as:

(1) Newry & Mourne has been the consistently largest local government district that remains in the operational area of the Southern Trust since its inception in 2007. NISRA demographics confirm this.

Latest official population stats for the 5 LGDs in the operational area of the Southern Trust

(1)Newry & Mourne ( 105,693*); (2) Craigavon ( 101,489*); (3)Armagh(62,976*) (4) Dungannon (62,666*) and (5) Banbridge (50,717*) [ [2018* NISRA]. This has been consistently ignored by the Southern Trust since they came into operation in 2007.

(2) Newry &Mourne LGD has always been the 4th highest LGD population in NI since 1972 (for nearly 50 years) after only Belfast, Lisburn (Greater Belfast ) and Derry.

(3) NISRA demographics confirm the Newry & Mourne population is projected to be the 3rd HIGHEST LGD POPULATION IN THE WHOLE OF NI BY 2023 with 110,090 population after only (1st)Belfast (289,130) and (2nd) Lisburn (Greater Belfast): 133,106. Derry is projected to be the 4th highest population in NI with 110,028 (NISRA).

These demographics were not considered in the ‘Reshaping Stroke Care’ Consultation or by the Southern Trust. A population Health Needs Assessment using accurate statistics will show the DoH the population health needs within Newry & Mourne, including needs for specialist stroke services.

A Population Health Needs Assessment (at local Government District Level) using accurate NISRA demographics will show quite clearly the continued need for specialist Stroke staff in Daisy Hill acute Hospital combined Stroke Unit, in order to provide time crucial emergency, acute and rehabilitation stroke care for the Newry & Mourne population and further afield within the same time frame as in urban areas in NI.

Centralisation of stroke services to one area in Craigavon will not provide safe stroke care in Newry & Mourne and will cost lives.

PHASE OF WORK REQUESTED:

CALL FOR THE DOH, PHA, HSCB and COMMISSIONERS TO:

1. Conduct a Full Population Health Needs Assessment at individual Local Government District level (not at Trust level) using official NISRA Statistics – not Administrative stats such as Integrated Care Partnerships or theoretical modelled hospital demand.
2. Carry out Full Rural Impact Assessment (Rural Needs Act 2016)
3. Carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment to assess the Carbon Footprint implications of Centralisation
Then
4. Rewrite the Stroke Consultation and Stroke Options following these assessments, based on population needs, along with the Consultation Responses.

WHY THE STROKE OPTIONS NEED TO BE RE-WRITTEN

Under “Change or Withdrawal of services” – ALL 8 existing specialist Acute Stroke Units (including Daisy Hill, Newry combined specialist Acute Stroke Rehabilitation Unit) , NOT JUST 6 STROKE UNITS are entitled to be included in an NI wide consultation questionnaire options for upgrading to Hyperacute stroke units and retained as Acute Stroke Units.

The finally selected options must ensure immediate access to Emergency and inpatient specialist stroke Care in a fair and regionally balanced way across NI

>>>>>BACKGROUND

Dept. of Health NI latest Update to NI 2019 ‘Reshaping Stroke Care’ Consultation can be seen at the following link:
https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/hrn-newsletter-edition1

For Bengoa Report: Systems not Structures: Changing Health & Social Care (FULL REPORT) (link Below) See pages 72/73
https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/topics/health-policy/systems-not-structures-changing-health-and-social-care

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

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© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2021. We welcome sharing of this info and the 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!

08.20.19

by Admin 4

Another Call to Action for the Specialist Stroke Unit in Newry: Write for your rights!

NI Reshaping Stroke Care Consultation 2019 -Write for Right to Life at Daisy Hill Specialist Stroke Unit Newry

Suggested Answers to the RSC Consultation NOW AVAILABLE – including the Extra 5 Equality, Human Rights & Rural impact Questions

As the 2019 Stroke Consultation Deadline is Fri 30th August, Daisy Hill’s campaign for Hyperacute Stroke Unit status continues, with a renewed call for action for the people of Newry & Mourne, South Armagh, South Down and surrounding areas.

Based on demographics Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry should be confirmed as a location for a Hyperacute and Acute Stroke Unit – so Suggested Answers to Reshaping Stroke Care are now ready to Download for sending back to the Department.

If you want to help but haven’t submitted any Response to the Consultation, OR if you have already signed a Support Our Stroke Services Questionnaire and need to answer the Equality Questions, both documents are available below.

1. For those YET TO REPLY to Re-shaping Stroke Care 2019 Consultation

ALL Questions Suggested Answers Version 1 (Complete Questionnaire) is available to download and save as a new filename from this Link: All Qs Answers Reshaping Stroke Care questionnaire

OR

2. For Those who have Responded to the first Questions but not the EQUALITY\ RURAL IMPACT QUESTIONS in Reshaping Stroke Care 2019

5 EQUALITY Q’s ONLY Questionnaire is available to download and save as a new Filename from this link: 5 Equality Qs answers Reshaping Stroke Care Questionnaire

These Suggested answers are already typed onto the RSC Questionnaire in Word Format for easy access for you to download and read.

The Answers are only intended to be a Guide for your own Answers – but if you agree with these and find it useful and time-saving– you can use all or part of the content. You can type changes directly onto the Questionnaire, (adding or delete as you wish!) It is recommended that you do make some changes so they are not all identical. Please remember to add your name/address/email address too.

After Downloading, please remember to ‘Save As’ and Give the document a new filename – perhaps adding your Initials or Surname. For e.g. RSC_Questionaire_All_JSmith_2019

The Original RSC blank Questionnaire is available from the Department of Health NI website : https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/reshaping-stroke-care . Click on ‘Reshaping Stroke Questionnaire’(Word doc) and save.

DIFFERENT WAYS TO RESPOND

(1) EMAIL: Email your Questionnaire \answers to the Department of Health at: StrokeConsultation@health-ni.gov.uk

(2) ONLINE: You can copy and paste some or all the Reshaping Stroke Care ‘suggested answers’ plus add your own comments onto the online questionnaire at:

https://consultations.nidirect.gov.uk/doh-healthcare-policy-group/reshaping-stroke-care-saving-lives-reducing-disabi/consultation/intro/

(3) BY POST (using First Class Stamp) post (before 4.30pm Wednesday 28th August 2019 at the latest) to:

Reshaping Stroke Care, Hospital Services Reform, Department of Health, Annexe 3, Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast BT4 3SQ

If you know people that would like to respond to the Consultation, that do not have a computer or do not wish to respond online, forms are available from the Department of Health.

To get a form posted to you: Phone (028) 9076 5643 and ask for a RESHAPING STROKE CARE Consultation Questionnaire. It is advisable to do this as soon as possible as All Responses must be received by the DOH before the Deadline of Friday 30th August 2019 @5pm.

All the Consultation Documents (including the Questionnaire Form are available online at https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/reshaping-stroke-care

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

THIS ACTION IS TO FURTHER SUPPLEMENT THE EXCELLENT WORK ALREADY DONE BY SUPPORT OUR STROKE SERVICES COMMITTEE

As you know, another Campaign Group, Support Our Stroke Services Committee organised Community Outreach events over the summer in Shops, Shopping Centres and local places to encourage people to sign Questions from the Online Questionnaire. These Questionnaires supported the community goal to ensure that Daisy Hill Acute Hospital both retains its acute specialist Stroke Unit and is elevated to a Specialist Centre with Hyperacute Stroke Unit.

Many thousands signed these Consultation Questions up to the Alternative Option Question, but answering the remaining Equality & Human Rights Questions is an absolutely vital part of this whole process.

The flawed Department of Health Consultation Questionnaire prevented access to the Equality Questions previously, as these Questions could only be reached once you had selected one of the Options and every one of them excludes Daisy Hill Hospital.

Now with the Extended deadline – we have the opportunity to supplement the ‘Support Our Stroke Services’ Committee facilitated Questionnaires by submitting the rest of the 5 Equality Questions to support the need for a Hyperacute Stroke Unit in Daisy Hill, Newry.

The united community of Newry and Mourne and South Armagh will work together to ENHANCE stroke services in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital

The people from Newry & Mourne, South Armagh, South Down and surrounding areas, still stand together to challenge the flawed Consultation document which deliberately excluded Daisy Hill’s specialist combined Acute Stroke Rehabilitation Unit from the proposed Options in Reshaping Stroke Care, but every-one of us need to continue to put the case in writing.

STILL NEED CONVINCING?

Time is Brain - Urban and Rural -None of the Options in the NI Stroke Consultattion are best for all of NI. Every minute matters during a stroke says London Stroke Strategy.

The DoH states that the proposals will have MINOR IMPACT in NI. This is not the case in Newry & Mourne, Down and South Armagh area where there will be MAJOR IMPACT on the lives of stroke patients.

There will be removal of scanning, administration of the crucially time dependant clot-busting drug Alteplase and removal of direct access into a specialist acute stroke rehabilitation unit from Daisy Hill acute Hospital as if it never existed.

This includes losing existing direct access to the Royal for Thrombectomy from Daisy Hill Hospital.

Your life could depend on it.

We must challenge the Department of Health by answering this Consultation – The more the better to get the message through loud and clear. We can do it with YOUR help.

WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER !

Thank you.

Daisy-Hill-still-needs-you!-call-to-action-for-the-specialist-stroke-unit-in-Newry

For background information on the 2019 NI stroke Consultation document – please see the following post:

https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2019/05/05/ni-stroke-consultation-2019-overview/

Daisy Hill Hospital for Life

Campaign to enhance Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry for future generations

Tag Archives: patients

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

WHY REPLYING TO THIS CONSULTATION IS IMPORTANT

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

TIME FOR ACTION – EMERGENCY COUNCIL MEETING AND MARCH NEEDED

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

COMPARISON

CONCLUSION AND SOLUTION

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

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

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

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE PART IN THIS CONSULTATION

WAYS TO RESPOND:

ROAD ACCIDENTS:

ROAD ACCIDENTS – CHILD CASUALITIES

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

NI Health Crisis – Cut in Specialist Acute Hospitals & their Uneven spread since 1995 is a major factor

Accurate population demographics, as provided by NISRA must inform health planning and future investment in inpatient facilities across NI

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NI Stroke Consultation: Call for Dept. of Health to Assess for Population Health and Rural Needs as Next phase of Work