by Admin 4

NEW! Write for your Rights! Dept. of Health Equality & Disability Action Plans Consultation (24.06.2025)

The Department of Health has developed New Draft Equality and Draft Disability Action Plans for 2025 to 2030. They write: “This consultation gives you an opportunity to tell us what you think should be included in our Equality Action Plan and Disability Action Plans for the next 5 years.”This Regional Consultation is our chance to put in writing the need for Equality in Newry Mourne and Down. Give a voice to the vulnerable and ill. Please take part.

DOH Draft Equality & Disability Action Plans Consultation 2025 – 2030.

INEQUALITY – STILL HERE in JUNE 2025.

Write For Your Equality Rights (DoH Draft Equality/Disability Public Consultation 2025)

This time two years ago, on 25^th June 2023 people came out in their thousands to show their support for Daisy Hill Hospital at the SOS Daisy Hill Hospital Committee Public Rally in Newry. People here care and will show up for Daisy Hill, the designated Acute Hospital in Newry city.

Now its June 2025, so have there been announcements of more investment for specialist acute services for Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, for its large and growing population? After all, Official population figures right back to 1971 show that Newry & Mourne (former) local government district (LGD) has always ranked in the TOP 4 populations in NI.

No, instead of return of specialist services (like Emergency Surgery and acute stroke) and more capital investment for Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry, (Apart from proposing some essential Electrical Maintenance), the following is recorded in the DOH 2023-4 Annual Report :

‘Progress and key achievements in 2023/24: The initial phases of REMODELLING THE ACUTE MODEL at Daisy Hill Hospital by REDUCING BED CAPACITY and INCREASING COMMUNITY based medical management. Further development is ongoing in 2024-25 and it is expected that OTHER LOCAL HOSPITALS CAN LEARN from this model in the future.’ (Department of Health Annual Report 2023-4, Page 10)

COMPARING THE TWO SOUTHERN TRUST ACUTE HOSPITALS – DAISY HILL, NEWRY AND CRAIGAVON (From 2023- on)

While the longest established Hospital in the Southern Trust, Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry gets ‘remodelled’ /’reconfigured’, ‘re-designated’ by re-moving /withdrawing and centralising its specialist services to Craigavon and vital equipment for the LONG TERM future is stalled again e.g. CT/ MRI Scanners. There is a different story in the other Acute Hospital in the Southern Trust, (newly built in 1971). Craigavon Hospital is treated much more favourably in the Department of Health Budget 2023-24 with the opposite proposal of EXTRA BEDS:

‘There are a number of critical capital schemes that the Department would like to commence in 2023/24 which include…THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL BED CAPACITY at CRAIGAVON Area Hospital’ (Department of Health Budget 2023-24 Equality Impact Assessment, page 10.)

CRAIGAVON CAPITAL PROPOSAL FOR £2.4 BILLION: REVENUE £38.5 MILLION. FUNDING STREAM IS NAMED AS DOH.

Craigavon Hospital continues to get major investment, beds, equipment and staff and still wants MORE

E.g. Southern Trust Board Report Jan 2025 lists the ‘new Capital Proposal for Craigavon Area Hospital Site Wide Redevelopment Programme with a Capital/Revenue Value £2.4 BILLION/ Revenue £38.5million.’ The Funding Stream is named as DOH. (Department of Health)

NEWRY & MOURNE HAS A HIGHER POPULATION THAN CRAIGAVON

Official population figures right back to 1971 show that Newry & Mourne local government district (LGD) has always ranked in the top 4 populations in NI and since 2007 has always had the HIGHEST population of the 5 LGD areas in the Southern Trust area. (See References for Figures)

So, given the consistently large recorded population size – where is the access to timely Regional Emergency Services and Specialist inpatient services at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry, for the people of Newry, Mourne & Down?

Lack of inpatient hospital access (to the only hospital in this area – Daisy Hill) is a major health inequality affecting the adults and children who live in Newry & Mourne. And how can people bring this inequality to light in 2025?

The Department of Health has developed New Draft Equality and Draft Disability Action Plans for 2025 to 2030. They write: “This consultation gives you an opportunity to tell us what you think should be included in our Equality Action Plan and Disability Action Plans for the next 5 years.”This Regional Consultation is our chance to put in writing the need for Equality in Newry Mourne and Down.

Rally and another show of strength for Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry city 25.06.2023

>WHY ANSWER THIS NEW CONSULTATION?

The DOH has given an opportunity to write to them directly about inequalities so this is a real chance to write about major health inequalities in the Southern Trust. This inequality affects all Section 75 groups in the population regarding lack of access to acute hospital inpatient treatment at Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in Newry, because vital TIMELY life saving Regional Accident and Emergency Medical inpatient services (like Stroke, timely Emergency Surgical inpatient Services, and vital timely Critical Care Services High Dependency beds) were withdrawn from Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry without the Department going to the necessary Public Regional Consultations.

Emergency Surgery was removed permanently in Jan 2024 when there was no NI Executive in place. It was also announced Daisy Hill Hospital change of use to a Regional Elective care centre, and removal of beds without Public Regional Consultation. These are huge inequalities as it was the only acute Hospital in NI treated this way and will have a negative effect on health outcomes of the very large numbers of children and adults living here.

Newry & Mourne is a major settlement, the 4^th highest population in NI and has always had the highest (former) local government district population in the Southern Trust operational area, but it is being wrongly categorised as an ‘isolated community’ in the DoH Hospital Network Consultation. Newry & Mourne is not an isolated community; the populations’ needs are not being assessed correctly.

To help people write in to the Department about inequality in this Public Consultation – Some suggested Answers will be available on this page.

Please Help and Please Share. Thank you.

REFERENCES AND LINKS

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-draft-equality-action-plan-and-draft-disability-action-plan

The Southern Trust Operational Area is still the former five Local Government Districts of Newry & Mourne, Armagh, Craigavon, Dungannon and Banbridge. Projected population for 2026 in Southern Trust/ SLCG: Newry & Mourne (111,508); Craigavon (109,655); Armagh (66,848); Dungannon (67,870) and Banbridge (53,202) NISRA June 2025.

Department of Health Budget (DoH) 2023-24 Equality Impact Assessment, Page 10

Department of Health Annual Report 2023-4, Page 10)

*Definition –‘Centralise’ “concentrate under one control” (Collins English Dictionary)

Ways to respond are detailed below.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONSULTATION LINKS

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-draft-equality-action-plan-and-draft-disability-action-plan

The link above is the main Consultation link from the Department of Health website . It gives all documents including main report, Rural Impact and Equality Impact Assessments, Consultation Questionnaire Word document all available to download and read.

Public Consultations should be freely accessible to all – if you are unable to save or open any of the Department of Health Consultation documents in the formats provided – please contact the Department of Health using the information provided below, to let them know and see if they can offer alternative formats.

WAYS TO RESPOND TO THE CONSULTATION

There are 3 WAYS TO RESPOND to Department of Health Draft Equality & Disability Action Plans Consultation 2025 – 2030

1>By Email > Send your completed Questionnaire by email to the Department by attaching the Consultation Questionnaire to the email address: equality&humanrights@health-ni.gov.uk

2>By Online Questionnaire

Click on the Online Questionnaire link below and scroll down to and click ‘have your say’

https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/doh-1/draft-equality-action-plan-and-di/

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

Write to:
Equality and Human Rights Unit,
Castle Buildings,
Stormont,
Belfast,
Northern Ireland,
BT4 3SQ

By the Closing Date of Saturday 28th June 2025 by 5pm.

For Enquiries on the Department of Health Draft Equality & Disability Action Plans Consultation 2025 – 2030 the contact email is: equality&humanrights@health-ni.gov.uk

Department of Health General Telephone number is : Telephone: 028 9052 0500

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry City. — Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry City

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

WHY DAISY HILL HOSPITAL IN NEWRY IS ENTITLED TO BE AN AREA HOSPITAL:

>Reason 1 – Population fact 1: Out of 17 GP Federations in NI, Newry & District GP Federation has the 2nd highest number of patients (161,308) registered after only Derry GP Federation since 2017 (Source: DOH 2023/24).

Newry & District includes 36,018 children and young people aged U18, the 2^nd highest of the 17 GP Federations after only Derry (Source: DOH 2023/24).

Reason 2 – Population fact 2: Newry & Mourne Local Government District (One of 26 Former Councils) RANKED IN THE TOP FOUR HIGHEST POPULATION CENTRES In NI after only Belfast, Derry and Lisburn. (From 1971 to 2014)

Reason 3> Population fact 3: Newry & Mourne LGD has ALWAYS HAD THE HIGHEST POPULATION of the 5 LGDS in the operational area of Southern Trust. (Source NISRA). The 5 LGDS are Newry & Mourne, Craigavon, Armagh, Dungannon and Banbridge.

Reason 4 – Landmass fact : Newry & Mourne local government district area alone has the 3RD LARGEST LANDMASS in NI (898.3 Sq Km: Source NISRA).

EMERGENCY SURGERY – THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS (N.IRELAND)

Over c.453,455 people (nearly a quarter of the NI population) have been denied access to a Regional service at Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in Newry and at South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen, because two Health Trusts decided to withdraw life-saving Emergency Surgery at these acute hospitals, even though the decisions to remove these Regional Emergency Services never went to REGIONAL Public Consultation.* (See Background)

The accompanying map graphic shows the stark reality of the areas and numbers affected. The grey coloured area on the map shows where the 453,455 (adults and children alike), have now been left without access to Emergency Surgery in these two designated acute hospitals Newry and Enniskillen. This number does not even include the thousands of tourists who visit this area.

The local populations objected to the removal of Emergency Surgery from the two Acute Hospitals since 2022 through the only mechanisms open to them through their local councils and by objecting in their thousands through the Trust ONLY LOCAL LEVEL consultations.

In Newry, the ‘Save Our Emergency Surgery Action Group’ organised a huge rally in opposition to centralisation of Emergency Surgery to Craigavon Hospital and collected and submitted 12,000 responses to the Southern Trust LOCAL Emergency Surgery Consultation. Mr Francis Gallagher the group’s Chair stated in a Newry Reporter article : “Tell the DOH and the trust that we demand equality and respect by having equal timely access to life-saving healthcare” (Newry Reporter April 2023).

Save our Acute Services who also co-ordinated a community campaign in Fermanagh area stated they secured over 30,286 individual responses to Western Trust consultation on ‘temporary’ removal of Emergency Surgery from the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen.

The Community campaigns also had strong local government support, with both Newry Mourne and Down Council and the Fermanagh and Omagh Councils strongly opposing the withdrawal of Emergency Surgery from their Acute Hospitals and communicating with the Department of Health on this issue.

FOR BETTER OUTCOMES AND EQUALITY, ALL HEALTH TRUSTS MUST ADHERE TO THE RURAL NEEDS ACT AND RETURN EMERGENCY SURGERY TO THESE ACUTE HOSPITALS.

Health Trusts should have remembered before they took it on themselves to withdraw life saving Regional services like Emergency Surgery from the predominantly Rural (NUTS Classification) ‘West and South of NI’, that they have a “duty of care” to continue to provide, not deprive this population of life saving Emergency Surgery.

The Southern and Western Health Trusts also have to adhere to the NI Rural Needs Act 2016 and consider the extent of harm their decision did to this predominantly Rural Population when they withdrew timely life saving Emergency Surgery. Because of this they should reverse their decision and return Emergency Surgery without delay to achieve better outcomes for the Rural population under their care.

The Rural population in NI are entitled to the same value for public money for Life-saving Emergency services as the urban population, as the quote from the Rural Needs Act below shows.

RURAL NEEDS ACT 2016:
“In seeking to identify Rural Needs public authorities should consider to what extent the policy, strategy, plan or public services will meet the social and economic needs of people in rural areas and whether the outcomes delivered for people in rural areas will be similar to the outcomes delivered for people in urban areas.”

It is a serious situation that over 453,455 people (nearly a quarter of the NI population) has been denied access to a Regional service at Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in Newry and at South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen.

The removal of a life saving Regional Service like Emergency Surgery is one that can only be dealt with through a REGIONAL Public Consultation. The fact that Emergency Surgery was removed from two designated acute hospitals, without a REGIONAL Public Consultation or due process makes this a Rural Needs and an Equality issue.

The best way to continue to bring this to the attention of the Dept of Health and Health Minister is though our politicians – MLAs, Councillors and MPs and directly through the next available Equality and Disability Public Consultation.

The latest Consultation is open and is asking for public feedback, so this a good opportunity to keep up standing our ground for our acute Hospitals, designated by Government in 2003 and paid for with our public funds, taxes and national insurance contributions.

Details on the ‘Public Consultation on the Department of Health’s Draft Equality Action and Draft Disability Action Plan 2025-2030’ will follow shortly.

BACKGROUND

Graphic Source: Population projections for the 5 former NUTS UK Eurostat Administrative Areas (year 2025): Source NISRA. NUTS III Areas still relevant because these areas cover the 26 councils which still remain the operational areas of the 5 Health Trusts.

*Emergency Surgery Withdrawn from two Acute Hospitals in NI without regional consultation

NEWRY

*Emergency Surgery withdrawn from Daisy Hill acute Hospital in Newry – permanent service change (8 January 2024)

‘DoH approves permanent service change – The Department of Health has approved the Southern Health and Social Care Trust decision to permanently consolidate emergency general surgery services at Craigavon Area Hospital.’ Date published: 8 January 2024

ENNISKILLEN

Western Trust Corporate Risk Update at 30 May 2024

23/05/2024 ‘Temporary suspension (Emergency General Surgery) remains in place with Trust now in the preparatory stages to move to consultation on a permanent change delivery model.’

Next Consultation:

Public Consultation on the Department of Health’s Draft Equality Action and Draft Disability Action Plan 2025-2030

Background ends

Please share if you can. Thank you.

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

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

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

02.23.25

by Admin 4

How to take part in the DOH Hospital Network Consultation with Suggested Responses (Updated! 23.02.2025)

DOH Hospital Network Consultation 2024-2025 – Some Suggested Responses

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry is entitled to be an Area Hospital due to the consistently high population size, need and land mass area in Newry & District. In the Department of Health’s new public Consultation ‘Hospitals – Creating a Network for better outcomes’, Daisy Hill Acute Hospital has been put into the wrong Hospital category of ‘General Hospital’.

Public help is needed to answer through the Questionnaire to put the case forward to the Department of Health through the Public consultation process for Daisy Hill to be made an Area Hospital, like the other Area Hospitals, as it is entitled to be.

You can help by responding to this Department of Health Consultation ‘Hospitals – Creating a Network for better outcomes.’ (October 2024) (More information on the topic is explored in ‘Why This Consultation Matters’ section below.

SUGGESTED ANSWERS HELP 1 AVAILABLE HERE

Word versions of the Questionnaire with some pre-filled selected options to read or use for your own answers, (now with extra info on the Rural Needs and Equality Questions) are available to download by clicking on the Download buttons below : (File name: V3 Extra info-Questionnaire-doh -hospitals) has detailed LONGER answers.

V3 Extra info-Questionnaire-doh-hospitals Download

A word version of the Questionnaire with SHORTER ANSWERS (File name ‘W shorter-questionnaire -doh-hospitals) with some pre-filled selected options to read or use for your own answers is available to download by clicking on the Download button below.

W shorter -questionnaire-doh-hospitals Download

Notes for the Prefilled Questionnaire

>If you use this pre-filled version you will first need to save the file to your phone/computer/device etc), Select the Save As Option, and select where you want to save it in Downloads/Documents etc.

>Then give it a new filename by adding your initials at the front/end or some other change to the standard name.

Example 1. New file name: AB questionnaire doh-hospitals-better-outcomes.

Example 2. New file name: questionnaire doh-hospitals-better-outcomesRR1

>Edit the new version by starting with Q1 to add your name and Q2 to add your Email address by typing into the Space in the Answer Boxes on the Questionnaire. This is really important so the department will count it as a real response coming from you. (There is space to add extra comments on some of the other answer boxes if you wish. )

>When you are finished Save your file again and then your version of the Questionnaire is ready. This new filename is the version you can send as an email attachment, (or for printing, if you want to post it.)

Ways to respond are detailed below.

Daisy Hill Hospital Newry is entitled to be an Area Hospital in the Department of Health Hospital Network Consultation 2024-2025.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONSULTATION LINKS

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/consultations/hospitals-creating-network-better-outcomes-public-consultation

The link above is the main Consultation link from the Department of Health website for the ‘Creating a Network for better outcomes’ Consultation . It gives all documents including main report, Rural Impact and Equality Impact Assessments, Consultation Questionnaire Word document all available to download and read.

WAYS TO RESPOND TO THE CONSULTATION

There are 3 WAYS TO RESPOND to Department of Health Hospitals – Creating a Network for better outcomes Consultation proposals 2024-2025:

1>By Email > Send your completed Questionnaire by email to the Department by attaching the Consultation Questionnaire to the email address: rebuildinghsc.services@health-ni.gov.uk

2>By Online Questionnaire

Click on the Online Questionnaire link below and scroll down to and click ‘have your say’

https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/doh-1/hospitals-creating-a-network-for-better-outcomes/

SUGGESTED ANSWERS HELP 2 (ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE) AVAILABLE HERE

There are two versions of the Suggested Answers (ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE ) AVAILABLE

V6 (With Longer Detailed Answers)

V8 (With Shorter Answers)

You can use these two Suggested Answer Sheets (Ready Reference) Answers BELOW to help you if you need some ideas while you are filling out this online questionnaire. If you agree with the typed answer suggestions you can even copy and paste the answers in part or full. (Just download it to your device and open the file for reference)

LONGER (MORE DETAILED) SUGGESTED ANSWER SHEET FOR ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE AVAILABLE HERE:

V6 extra-ONLINE-Qs-suggested-answers Download

SHORTER SUGGESTED ANSWER SHEET FOR ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD HERE:

V8 Shorter Ready Ref Answers for Online Qs -DoH Download

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

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

By the Closing Date of 28th February 2025.

For Enquiries on the ‘Hospitals -Creating a Network for better outcomes’ consultation the Department of Health contact email is: rebuildinghsc.services@health-ni.gov.uk

Department of Health General Telephone number is : Telephone: 028 9052 0500

WHY THIS CONSULTATION MATTERS

In 2019, you did it – over 19, 500 people sent back consultation Reponses disagreeing with Dept of Health plans to cut the existing number of Stroke Units in NI and centralise stroke services to as few as sites as possible.

People power here worked after thousands filled in the Questionnaire with 95% rejecting the options, with concerns about longer travel times in an emergency. Following this consultation – the Health Minister Robin Swann MLA said stronger evidence was needed – so change can happen if we write in large numbers to these consultations.

In 2024/5 there is a new plan as the Department of Health now proposes to go way beyond centralising Stroke services and proposes changes to the whole Regional Hospital Network. This plan puts Hospitals in NI into four categories: Local, General, Area Hospitals and Specialist Regional Centres.

The majority of Specialist Inpatient Services for example Stroke, Emergency Surgery etc are proposed to be centralised to 5 newly chosen Area Hospitals (at Antrim, Altnagelvin, Craigavon, Ulster and Belfast Group Hospitals) and Specialist Regional Centres (at Altnagelvin, Ulster Hospital and Belfast Hospitals) (*Ref1)

In these proposals Daisy Hill Hospital (Newry); South West (Enniskillen) and Causeway (Coleraine) are to be known as ‘General Hospitals’. (Very different from the new proposed ‘Area Hospitals’)

The Government now wants to consult with you, the public who are paying for the service to see if they agree with these new proposals.

DAISY HILL HAS BEEN PUT IN THE WRONG CATEGORY OF ‘GENERAL’ HOSPITAL – BUT THIS CAN BE CHANGED IF ENOUGH PEOPLE DISAGEE WITH THE NEW PROPOSALS

As mentioned in previous posts, only 5 places have been selected to be upgraded to be higher level ‘Area Hospitals’ – they are: Craigavon, Antrim, Altnagelvin, Ulster and Belfast Group Hospitals. “These Area Hospitals will maintain a 24/7 emergency department, a 24/7 emergency surgery and anaesthetic rota and theatre, and be supported by a critical care unit.” (Consultation Doc p35/37pdf) Annex D also states Area Hospitals will be expected to have 31 specialty services with inpatient beds. (Page 106/8)

What about the General Hospitals?

Information on the limited services expected to be available from ‘General hospitals’ can be read in the Consultation document ‘Hospitals – Creating a Network for better outcomes’ from the Department of Health’s website. (See p23, 34-36, and 113)

In the document’s very important Actions page (p113, See Action 4) –it is rather concerning that the words ‘Short to Medium Term’*(Ref 2) are used when referring to maintaining core services in the ‘General Hospital’ category. And it is the Hospital Trusts who will be in charge of this.

Are core services not going to be maintained for the Long Term in the General Hospitals then? No other Hospital Category is dealt with in this way in the Actions Page.

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry has been incorrectly put in the ‘General Hospital’ category in this new report which also falsely describes the Newry area as a small ‘isolated’ geographical location and community (*(Ref 3) See pages 6,23, 34).

The Department of Health report fails to recognise the consistently large population size, recorded illness statistics needs and large land mass area in the Newry & District area.

Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry must be given the long overdue investment and specialist inpatient services it and the rate-paying and tax paying population here deserves.

We must challenge these unfair proposals. In Health and Wellbeing 2026 Delivering Together (p19) First Minister and former Health Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA stated “Our HSC system belongs to all of us and we all bring valuable insights in to how it can improve. We must work in partnership – patients, services users, families’ staff and politicians – in doing so we co-produce lasting change which benefits us all.” *(Ref 4)

DAISY HILL HOSPITAL IS ENTITLED TO BE AN AREA HOSPITAL & NEEDS YOUR HELP – PLEASE DISAGREE WITH THE PROPOSALS

Your help is needed to answer the Consultation through the Questionnaire and let the Dept of Health know that they have put Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry into the wrong category –due to the population size, need and land mass here.

We have a right to continue to challenge, at every opportunity, these vital healthcare decisions. Pls take part in the Consultation and Strongly disagree with the proposals, stating in the Questionnaire that Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry is entitled to be and should be categorised as an ‘Area Hospital’ along with the other Area Hospitals.

Please ask everyone in your house to take part take part in this public Consultation too and pls ask your friends, family and community and Elected Representatives to do the same.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION/ REFERENCES

REFERENCES

*Ref. 1. Hospitals – Creating a Network for better outcomes. Department of Health, (October 2024). Main Consultation document, Hospital Categories (Pages – pdf pg no. p23-25)

*Ref. 2. Action 4 states that “Consideration to be given to how in the short to medium term HSC Trusts can work in collaboration to maintain these core General Hospital services.” Creating a Network for better outcomes. Department of Health, October 2024. Main Consultation document, (pdf pg no p113)

*Ref. 3 Description of General Hospitals ,In ‘Creating a Network for better outcomes’. (Department of Health, October 2024,) the word ‘isolated’ is used 3 times describing the ‘location’ and ‘community’ of the 3 named proposed ‘General hospitals’: Causeway Hospital, Daisy Hill Hospital and South West Hospital(p6,p23, p34).

P6/23 : “General Hospitals, delivering defined secondary care services including unscheduled care, geared to a specific, more ISOLATED geographical location…”

P34/ “What and Where: General Hospitals” – …… These hospitals have a key role in ensuring our system can respond to the challenges of an aging population, delivering a range of acute and rehabilitation services, with the advantage that they are closer to an otherwise more ISOLATED community.”]

*Ref. 4. Health and Wellbeing 2026 – Delivering Together – Department of Health, (October 2016.) (p19)

*Definition –‘Centralise’ “concentrate under one control” (Collins English Dictionary)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

WHY DAISY HILL HOSPITAL IN NEWRY IS ENTITLED TO BE AN AREA HOSPITAL:

Newry & District includes 36,018 children and young people aged U18, the 2^nd highest of the 17 GP Federations after only Derry (Source: DOH 2023/24).

Reason 4 – Landmass fact : Newry & Mourne local government district area alone has the 3RD LARGEST LANDMASS in NI (898.3 Sq Km: Source NISRA).

Further reading: https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2025/01/28/gp-registers-show-vital-need-for-daisy-hill-newry-as-an-area-hospital-with-24-7-level-1-ed/

Further reading: https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2025/02/23/new-updated-shorter-ready-reference-suggested-answers-online-consultation/

Further Reading: https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2025/01/26/daisy-hill-newry-is-entitled-to-be-in-the-area-hospital-category-in-the-doh-hospital-network-public-consultation-2024-25/

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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01.28.25

by Admin 2

GP Registers show vital need for Daisy Hill, Newry as an Area Hospital with 24-7 Level 1 ED

DAISY HILL HOSPITAL NEWRY IS ENTITLED TO BE CATEGORISED AS AN AREA HOSPITAL – FACTS FROM GP REGISTERS

The case for RETAINING not WITHDRAWING specialist Acute Services and 24 /7 Consultant Led Emergency Services in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry City is very strong and evidence based.

This is why these Emergency and Specialist Acute services were always in Daisy Hill in the first place as recognised in 2003 under Developing Better Services Hospital Network Consultation when Daisy Hill was designated as one of 9 Acute Hospitals, of equal status, with 24/7 Consultant Led Emergency Surgical, Emergency Medical, and 24/7 Consultant- led Maternity Services.

But now it seems the case must be made again in the ongoing Department of Health Consultation “Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes’, – Why?

Because the Dept of Health, by downgrading Daisy Hill Acute Hospital has failed to recognise the health needs of Newry & District’s* large population size (which covers Newry, South Down and South Armagh areas), failed to take into account the strategic location of Newry and is proposing to make Daisy Hill into a General Hospital with limited services.

This CAN and must be challenged though the Public Consultation process by answering the questionnaire and promoting the need, without delay, for an Area Hospital in Newry.

This is the latest in a series of posts which aims to explain each of the reasons in turn which can be used for people taking part in the written consultation, who can disagree with conviction on the Dept. Of Health proposal for Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry to be demoted into a General Hospital with limited services, and for the public to call instead for an Area Hospital in Newry.

An Area Hospital is needed to give the vast population of adults and children here (especially those who live in rural areas) timely equity of access to inpatient Emergency and Acute hospital services. Details on the Consultation and different categories of Hospital proposed are available from the DOH Website and from Daisy Hill for life website (See link at end)

>THERE ARE 161,308 PEOPLE ON DOCTORS REGISTERS IN NEWRY AND DISTRICT GP FEDERATION (DOH May 2024)

There are currently 17 GP Federations covering all areas of NI. One of their aims is to help deliver the Transformation Agenda in Health and Social Care. There are 29 Registered GP Practices in Newry & District GP Federation, covering Newry, South Down and South Armagh areas.

Newry & District GP Federation includes GP practices in Kilkeel, Crossmaglen, Annalong, Rathfriland, Killeavy, Newtownhamilton, Mullaghbawn, Bessbrook, Warrenpoint as well as Newry.

Out of the 17 GP federations in NI – Newry & District GP Federation has the second highest (161,308) number of registered patients (after only Derry GP Federation) since 2017 (Source: DOH 2023/24).

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

POPULATION HEALTH NEEDS IN NEWRY & DISTRICT – SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS ARE WIDESPREAD

As well as the large population size, a second important reason, as shown in the picture/graphic is that many people living in Newry & District have a high incidence of serious health needs or health conditions including Heart Failure and Stroke, Coronary Heart Disease, Cancer, Atrial Fibrillation, Hypertension and Kidney Disease. Many of these patients need and are entitled to have equitable timely access to 24/7 Consultant-Led Emergency Surgery and Emergency Medical Care, High Dependency Care and Specialist Acute Inpatient Hospital care in Daisy Hill Hospital.

Data showing 15 health conditions on GP Registers in Newry & District show the vital need for Daisy Hill, Newry to be categorised as an Area Hospital with a 24/7 Level 1 ED as part of the proposed Regional network of hospitals. (Note: all 17 GP Federations have records for the same 15 health conditions*.)

An Area Hospital with 24/7 Level 1 ED at Daisy Hill in Newry is vital to ensure better outcomes for survival and recovery of patients as well as giving timely equity of access also for other health conditions and in Emergency situations that may arise.

As shown in the graphic –in 2024 These GP Registers show that of 15 health conditions (recorded by all GP Federations*) Newry & District GP Federation has:

>*THE HIGHEST number. of patients with Heart Failure, Heart Failure due to Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction and Non- Diabetic Hyperglycaemia.

>*THE 3RD HIGHEST number of Patients with Coronary Heart Disease, Cancer, Atrial Fibrillation, Hypertension and Asthma (after only Derry and East Antrim).

>*THE 4TH HIGHEST number of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease, Stroke, Diabetes and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

CONCLUSION

Of 17 GP Federations in NI – Newry & District GP Federation (covering Newry, South Down and South Armagh area) has the SECOND HIGHEST number of patients registered with GP Practices in NI since 2017 (161,308 patients ) with many patients having serious health needs.

If the Department of Health had used a Population Health Needs Assessment (at Trust/Local Commissioning Group level), with data on illnesses/conditions taken from the 17 GP Federations including Newry & District GP Federation, the DoH would have acknowledged that Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry was entitled to be categorised as an Area Hospital.

PLEASE TAKE PART IN THE CONSULTATION

Please reply to DOH Hospital Network Consultation 2025 proposals and make the case for vital need for DAISY HILL AREA HOSPITAL.

Full information on the Consultation, and some Suggested answers to the Questionnaire are available from the LINK below:

https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2025/01/05/dept-of-health-hospital-network-consultation-2024-2025-a-suggested-response/

Please Share this post if you can, to spread the word. Thank you.

BACKGROUND/ LARGE POPULATION SIZE IN NEWRY & DISTRICT

Newry & District GP patient register includes 36,018 children and young people aged U18, the 2^nd highest of the 17 GP Federations after only Derry (Source: DOH 2023/24).

*(Source DOH: published May 2024)

ENDS

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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01.26.25

by Admin 2

Daisy Hill, Newry is entitled to be in the ‘Area Hospital’ Category in the DOH Hospital Network Public Consultation 2024/25

YOU DID IT BEFORE – YOU CAN DO IT AGAIN –PEOPLE POWER NEEDED FOR DAISY HILL HOSPITAL , NEWRY.

In 2019, you did it – over 19, 500 people sent back Consultation Reponses disagreeing with Department of Health plans to cut the existing number of Stroke Units in NI and centralise stroke services to as few as sites as possible.

In the Department of Health Consultation document ‘Hospitals – Creating a Network for better outcomes’, the majority of Specialist Inpatient Services for example Stroke, Emergency Surgery etc are proposed to be centralised to 5 newly chosen Area Hospitals (at Antrim, Altnagelvin, Craigavon, Ulster and Belfast Group Hospitals) and Specialist Regional Centres (at Altnagelvin, Ulster Hospital and Belfast Hospitals) (*Ref1)

The Government now wants to consult with the public who are paying for the service, to see if they agree with these new proposals.

DAISY HILL HAS BEEN PUT IN THE WRONG CATEGORY OF ‘GENERAL’ HOSPITAL – BUT THIS CAN BE CHANGED IF ENOUGH PEOPLE DISAGREE WITH THE NEW CONSULTATION PROPOSALS

As mentioned before, only 5 places have been selected to be upgraded to be higher level ‘Area Hospitals’ – they are: Craigavon, Antrim, Altnagelvin, Ulster and Belfast Group Hospitals. “These Area Hospitals will maintain a 24/7 emergency department, a 24/7 emergency surgery and anaesthetic rota and theatre, and be supported by a critical care unit.” (Consultation Doc p35/37pdf) Annex D also states Area Hospitals will be expected to have 31 specialty services with inpatient beds. (Page 106/8)

What about the General Hospitals?

In the document’s very important Actions page (p113, See Action 4) –it is rather concerning that the words ‘Short to Medium Term’*(Ref 2) are used when referring to maintaining core services in the ‘General Hospital’ category. And it is the Hospital Trusts who will be in charge of this.

Are core services not going to be maintained for the Long Term in the General Hospitals then? No other Hospital Category is dealt with in this way in the Actions Page.

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry has been incorrectly put in the ‘General Hospital’ category in this new report which also falsely describes the Newry area as a small ‘isolated’ geographical location and community (*(Ref 3) See pages 6,23, 34).

The Department of Health report fails to recognise the consistently large population size, recorded illness statistics needs and large land mass area in the Newry & District area.

Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry must be given the long overdue investment and specialist inpatient services it and the rate-paying and tax paying population here deserves.

DAISY HILL HOSPITAL IS ENTITLED TO BE AN AREA HOSPITAL & NEEDS YOUR HELP – PLEASE DISAGREE WITH THE CONSULTATION PROPOSALS

We have a right to continue to challenge, at every opportunity, these vital healthcare decisions. Please take part in the Consultation and Strongly disagree with the proposals, stating in the Questionnaire that Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry is entitled to be and should be categorised as an ‘Area Hospital’ along with the other Area Hospitals.

Please ask everyone in your house to take part take part in this public Consultation too and please ask your friends, family and community and Elected Representatives- councillors, MLAs and MPs to do the same.

IMPORTANT – See this Link below to Daisy Hill Hospital for life website for all links to Department of Health Consultation, Questionnaire and Suggested Answers (to read and/or use if you agree) with instructions and Source References.

https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2025/01/05/dept-of-health-hospital-network-consultation-2024-2025-a-suggested-response/

Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry Saves Lives - People Power 2023

5 EVIDENCE BASED REASONS WHY DAISY HILL HOSPITAL IN NEWRY IS ENTITLED TO BE AN AREA HOSPITAL

>Reason 1 – Population fact 1: Out of 17 GP Federations in NI, Newry & District GP Federation has the Second highest number of patients (161,308) registered after only Derry GP Federation since 2017. (Source: DOH 2023/24).

Newry & District includes 36,018 children and young people aged U18, the 2^nd highest of the 17 GP Federations after only Derry (Source: DOH 2023/24).

>Reason 2 – Population fact 2: Newry & Mourne Local Government District (One of 26 Former Councils) RANKED IN THE TOP FOUR HIGHEST POPULATION CENTRES In NI after only Belfast, Derry and Lisburn. (From 1971 to 2014)

>Reason 3> Population fact 3: Newry & Mourne LGD has ALWAYS HAD THE HIGHEST POPULATION of the 5 LGDS in the operational area of Southern Trust. (Source NISRA). The 5 LGDS are Newry & Mourne, Craigavon, Armagh, Dungannon and Banbridge.

>Reason 4 – Landmass fact : Newry & Mourne local government district area alone has the 3RD LARGEST LANDMASS in NI (898.3 Sq Km: Source NISRA).

>Reason 5: NEWRY CITY’S STRATEGIC LOCATION. Newry City could not be in a more pivotal position. NEWRY CITY is a Gateway and Main Hub in the Spatial Framework for NI to 2035. Newry is midway on the route from Belfast to Dublin on the TENS Key Transport Corridor.

It is also on the North Sea- Mediterranean Corridor: Cork> Dublin > NEWRY > BELFAST > Larne. The Eastern Seaboard Corridor is the Strategic Route linking Larne to the Border at Newry via Belfast facilitating onward travel to Dublin and the Port of Rosslare. Newry is a Gateway City to the Ring of Gullion and the Mournes (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and Gateway to the new Ring of Gullion Mourne and Sperrins UNESCO Heritage site.

Newry is so busy they are prepared to spend over £94 million on the Southern Traffic Relief Road but not on a Major hospital for potential road accidents, residents and visitors. Warrenpoint, close to Newry is the 2nd largest Port in NI.

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry is entitled to be an Area Hospital due to the consistently high population size, need and land mass area in Newry & District. in the Department of Health's new public Consultation ‘Hospitals – Creating a Network for better outcomes’ Daisy Hill Acute Hospital has been wrongly put into the wrong Hospital category of general Hospital. Public help is needed to answer through the Questionnaire and let the Department know this and make Daisy Hill an Area Hospital, like the other Area Hospitals.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION/ REFERENCES

*Ref. 1. Hospitals – Creating a Network for better outcomes. Department of Health, (October 2024). Main Consultation document, Hospital Categories (Pages – pdf pg no. p23-25)

*Ref. 3 Description of General Hospitals in ‘Creating a Network for better outcomes’. (Department of Health, October 2024,) the word ‘isolated’ is used 3 times describing the ‘location’ and ‘community’ of the 3 named proposed ‘General hospitals’: Causeway Hospital, Daisy Hill Hospital and South West Hospital (Pages 6, 23, 34).

P6/23 : “General Hospitals, delivering defined secondary care services including unscheduled care, geared to a specific, more ISOLATED geographical location…”

*Ref. 4. Health and Wellbeing 2026 – Delivering Together – Department of Health, (October 2016.) (p19)

*Definition –‘Centralise’ “concentrate under one control” (Collins English Dictionary)

Northern Ireland Ambulances Saves Lives - Daisy Hill Hospital Saves Lives

For Suggested Answers to the Questionnaire and more info on this current consultation please see : https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2025/01/05/dept-of-health-hospital-network-consultation-2024-2025-a-suggested-response/

Want to know how else you can help? – please see: https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/how-you-can-help/

DOH Hospital Network Consultation 2024-2025 – Suggested Response (Updated! )

Important: For detailed info on this topic and why it is important to take part- please read the full article.

QUICK LINKS – SHORT EXTRACT

*SUGGESTED ANSWERS HELP 1 – FULL QUESTIONNAIRE (Prefilled)

NEW SHORTER ANSWERS – PREFILLED QUESTIONNAIRE IN WORD IS AVAILABLE BELOW:

A NEW word version of the Questionnaire (W shorter -with Shorter Answers – with some pre-filled selected options to read or use for your own answers is available to download by clicking on the Download button below.

W shorter -questionnaire-doh-hospitals Download

LONGER ANSWERS PREFILLED QUESTIONNAIRE IN WORD IS AVAILABLE BELOW:

A word version of the Questionnaire (version V3-Longer Answers) with some pre-filled selected options to read or use for your own answers is available to download by clicking on the Download button below.

V3 Extra info-Questionnaire-doh-hospitals Download

*SUGGESTED ANSWERS HELP 2 (ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE)

Shorter Answers V8

V8 Shorter Ready Ref Answers for Online Qs -DoH Download

You can use this V8 Shorter Suggested Answers – Ready Reference Sheet (word document) BELOW to help you if want to copy and paste onto or if you need some ideas while you are filling out the online questionnaire. (Link to the online Questionnaire in main article)

You can use this V6 Extra Online Qs Suggested Answers Sheet (word document) BELOW to help you if you need some ideas while you are filling out the online questionnaire. (Link to the online Questionnaire in main article)

If you agree with the typed answer suggestions you can even copy and paste the answers in part or full. (Just download it to your device and open the file for reference)

OR

You can use this V6 Extra Online Qs Suggested Answers Sheet (lONGER ANSWERS) (word document) BELOW to help you if you need some ideas while you are filling out the online questionnaire. (Link to the online Questionnaire in main article)

If you agree with the typed answer suggestions you can even copy and paste the answers in part or full. (Just download it to your device and open the file for reference)

V6 extra-ONLINE-Qs-suggested-answers Download

Please note these files are in Word document format, if you are unable to open these files on your mobile or laptop successfully, it may be because your device doesn’t have Word installed.

Updated Feb 2025

If you are unable to download the Word files and want to fill in the Online Questionnaire page- you can go to these pages below instead :

FOR NEW SHORTER ANSWERS – see this page:

https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2025/02/23/new-updated-shorter-ready-reference-suggested-answers-online-consultation/

OR FOR MORE DETAILED LONGER ANSWERS – SEE THIS PAGE BELOW:

– https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2025/02/19/ready-reference-suggested-answers-online-consultation/

Full original article – STARTS HERE.

DOH Hospital Network Consultation 2024-2025 – A Suggested Response

SUGGESTED ANSWERS HELP 1 AVAILABLE HERE

An updated word version of the Questionnaire with some pre-filled selected options to read or use for your own answers, (now with extra info on the Rural Needs and Equality Questions) is available to download by clicking on the Download button below :

V3 Extra info-Questionnaire-doh-hospitals Download

NEW SHORTER ANSWERS!!

OR A NEW word version of the Questionnaire (W shorter -with Shorter Answers – with some pre-filled selected options to read or use for your own answers is available to download by clicking on the Download button below.

W shorter -questionnaire-doh-hospitals Download

Notes for the Prefilled Questionnaire

>Then give it a new filename by adding your initials at the front/end or some other change to the standard name.

Example 1. New file name: AB questionnaire doh-hospitals-better-outcomes.

Example 2. New file name: questionnaire doh-hospitals-better-outcomesRR1

Ways to respond are detailed below.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONSULTATION LINKS

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/consultations/hospitals-creating-network-better-outcomes-public-consultation

WAYS TO RESPOND TO THE CONSULTATION

There are 3 WAYS TO RESPOND to Department of Health Hospitals – Creating a Network for better outcomes Consultation proposals 2024-2025:

1>By Email > Send your completed Questionnaire by email to the Department by attaching the Consultation Questionnaire to the email address: rebuildinghsc.services@health-ni.gov.uk

2>By Online Questionnaire

Click on the Online Questionnaire link below and scroll down to and click ‘have your say’

https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/doh-1/hospitals-creating-a-network-for-better-outcomes/

SUGGESTED ANSWERS HELP 2 (ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE) AVAILABLE HERE

You can use this NEW V6 Extra Online Qs Suggested Answers Sheet or V8 Shorter ready Ref answers BELOW to help you if you need some ideas while you are filling out this online questionnaire. If you agree with the typed answer suggestions you can even copy and paste the answers in part or full. (Just download it to your device and open the file for reference)

V6 extra-ONLINE-Qs-suggested-answers Download

SHORTER ANSWERS FOR ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE AVAILABLE HERE

V8 Shorter Ready Ref Answers for Online Qs -DoH Download

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

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

By the Closing Date of 28th February 2025.

For Enquiries on the ‘Hospitals -Creating a Network for better outcomes’ consultation the Department of Health contact email is: rebuildinghsc.services@health-ni.gov.uk

Department of Health General Telephone number is : Telephone: 028 9052 0500

WHY THIS CONSULTATION MATTERS

The Government now wants to consult with you, the public who are paying for the service to see if they agree with these new proposals.

DAISY HILL HAS BEEN PUT IN THE WRONG CATEGORY OF ‘GENERAL’ HOSPITAL – BUT THIS CAN BE CHANGED IF ENOUGH PEOPLE DISAGEE WITH THE NEW PROPOSALS

What about the General Hospitals?

Are core services not going to be maintained for the Long Term in the General Hospitals then? No other Hospital Category is dealt with in this way in the Actions Page.

The Department of Health report fails to recognise the consistently large population size, recorded illness statistics needs and large land mass area in the Newry & District area.

Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry must be given the long overdue investment and specialist inpatient services it and the rate-paying and tax paying population here deserves.

DAISY HILL HOSPITAL IS ENTITLED TO BE AN AREA HOSPITAL & NEEDS YOUR HELP – PLEASE DISAGREE WITH THE PROPOSALS

Please ask everyone in your house to take part take part in this public Consultation too and pls ask your friends, family and community and Elected Representatives to do the same.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION/ REFERENCES

REFERENCES

*Ref. 1. Hospitals – Creating a Network for better outcomes. Department of Health, (October 2024). Main Consultation document, Hospital Categories (Pages – pdf pg no. p23-25)

P6/23 : “General Hospitals, delivering defined secondary care services including unscheduled care, geared to a specific, more ISOLATED geographical location…”

*Ref. 4. Health and Wellbeing 2026 – Delivering Together – Department of Health, (October 2016.) (p19)

*Definition –‘Centralise’ “concentrate under one control” (Collins English Dictionary)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

WHY DAISY HILL HOSPITAL IN NEWRY IS ENTITLED TO BE AN AREA HOSPITAL:

Newry & District includes 36,018 children and young people aged U18, the 2^nd highest of the 17 GP Federations after only Derry (Source: DOH 2023/24).

Reason 4 – Landmass fact : Newry & Mourne local government district area alone has the 3RD LARGEST LANDMASS in NI (898.3 Sq Km: Source NISRA).

Further reading: https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2025/01/28/gp-registers-show-vital-need-for-daisy-hill-newry-as-an-area-hospital-with-24-7-level-1-ed/

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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07.07.24

by Admin 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

CONCLUSION

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

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

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

ILLNESS PREVALANCE STATS SHOW THE NEED IN NEWRY & DISTRICT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

REFERENCES AND LINKS

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

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

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

Who are the Nuffield Trust?

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

POPULATION INFORMATION

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

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

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

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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02.14.24

by Admin 4

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital is the heart of the community – The heart that keeps us alive.

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital -the heart of the community - The heart that keeps us alive. Restore Emergency Surgery to Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry.

Newry Mourne and Down District Council recently announced a motion against the Permanent Secretary’s decision to permanently remove Emergency Surgery from Daisy Hill Hospital and are calling for the new Health Minister to reinstate Emergency Surgery at Daisy Hill Acute Hospital immediately. (Link at end)

It is good to see this action from Newry Mourne and Down Councillors on this vitally important issue, whose job it is to speak and act for the people in their areas. The estimated population of Newry, Mourne and Down Council for 2023/24 is 185,808 adults and children (NISRA). Newry Mourne and Down has the third biggest Council population in NI, with the third largest land mass area.

The removal of Emergency Surgery from Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry is a very serious withdrawal of a core timely life-saving Regional Emergency service from an Acute Hospital.

Centralisation of this kind also has a serious impact on all other Health Trusts especially the Ambulance Trust.

The Southern Trust does not have the authority to remove Regional Services.

This decision to permanently remove Emergency Surgery from an Acute Hospital can only be taken after a Regional Public Consultation and after approval by a Health Minister.

Just like the changes to Stroke Services and all other Regional Services which affect the whole population, before there are any permanent changes to Emergency Surgery Services at Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry, the following will be required:

1. A proper Population Needs Assessment using official data from NISRA
and
2. An open and accessible Regional Public Consultation on Emergency Surgery provision.

As Health Minister, Mr Robin Swann MLA will be aware of the importance of all factors in Regional health service decision making and will wish to ensure that there is no geographic disparity (inequality) in the core acute hospital services provided across the region.

He will also be aware of the need to match other core values for the Programme of Government including Good Relations, Rural Needs and Climate Change Regulations.

Health Minister Robin Swann MLA will be aware of all these factors and the decision now rests with him.

Daisy Hill hospital is the heart of the community – and needs to remain as an Acute Hospital, the people have paid for it to be there when they need it in an emergency.

Background Links
https://www.newrymournedown.org/council-meeting-minutes

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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09.24.23

by Admin 4

Consultation on the HSC NI Draft Equality Disability Action Plans 2023-28: closes tomorrow Mon 25th September 2023 – pls take part & give your views

HSC NI Equality Disability Action Plans 2023 Equality Needed in Southern Trust

“The six Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland have worked in partnership to develop new draft Equality and Disability Action Plans for 2023-28. These draft equality and disability action plans outline the proposed actions to be taken forward by the Health and Social Care Trusts over the next 5 years to address Section 75 inequalities, and to promote positive attitudes towards people with a disability and to encourage participation in public life. We are now seeking views on our draft Equality and Disability Action Plans and welcome your feedback regarding the potential impact of our proposed actions or how they could be improved.

We are keen to hear from anyone – service users, carers, staff and trade unions and we value input from those with lived experience.

All comments should be returned to the Northern Health and Social Care Trust Equality Unit.”

Information above From the Northern Trust’s website at : https://www.northerntrust.hscni.net/about-the-trust/involving-you/consultations/disabilityandequality/

>QUESTIONNAIRE AVAILABLE BELOW to help you respond to this Consultation.

You can provide your feedback on the draft plans by completing the consultation proforma. The Northern Trust have also provided a word version of the consultation proforma available.

Consultation Deadline tomorrow Monday 25th September 2023

HOW TO REPLY

Once it has downloaded -open the Word version of the consultation file and you can start to edit it.
You will need to fill in your name and your email address on page 1 and answer the Equality and Disability Plan Qs and if you want to answer the Equality Monitoring Data Questions 10- 20 you can fill them in too.
Then Save your filled in consultation questionaire version to your device with a New file name of your choice.

Instructions for those not used to replying to consultations through email

Save file to your device (then Save as a new filename) eg ‘word consultation proforma RSmith or Add your intitals’
Login to your Email, then Select Write New Email/Pen icon/compose
Attach the renamed file to your email using the (paperclip icon/Insert/Attach option)
Type the recipients email address into the To field: equality.unit@northerntrust.hscni.net
Subject field : Response to HSC NI Equality Disability Action Plans 2023 -28 Consultation
Write a short message e.g. Please find attached my consultation response and Hit Send
Send your responses to equality.unit@northerntrust.hscni.net by tomorrow Monday 25th September 2023:

WHY IS THIS CONSULTATION IMPORTANT?

Consultations are one of the best ways to get straight to the decision makers, and stand up for the services we are entitled to in this area.

We all have a say in how our Public Money is spent and have to speak up at every opportunity for Equal Treament and against removal of Regional Emergency Services and specialist Acute inpatient services in Daisy Hill and campaign for the Major new Specialist Acute Hospital building in Newry City for our large population, which was promised at Government level in 2005.

NOTE

Online Consultation Page says the closing date is 30th September 2023 – see link below

https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/hsc/hscni-equality-and-disability-action-plans/

Consultation References and Links

https://www.northerntrust.hscni.net/about-the-trust/involving-you/consultations/disabilityandequality/

How to give your Feedback (From the Northern Trust )

You can provide your feedback on the draft plans by completing the consultation proforma. We also have a word version of the consultation proforma available.

Alternatively, we welcome your views in any format. Please contact the Equality Unit at 028 2766 1377 or equality.unit@northerntrust.hscni.net

You can write to the Equality Unit at Route Complex, 8e Coleraine Road, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, BT53 6BP.

Online Consultation

https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/hsc/hscni-equality-and-disability-action-plans/

YOUR RESPONSES WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Replying to this Consultation and Liking and Sharing these posts can help support all Daisy Hill Hospital campaigns. Thank you.

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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SaveDaisyHillhospital.com and Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook have been created in partnership for the positive promotion of Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry city and to promote the need for expansion of specialist acute services, staff, number of beds, and imaging equipment at Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry city for now and the future.

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People Power in Newry- Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry Saves Lives – 2023

09.20.23

by Admin 4

Real Need for Acute Hospital Services and Specialist Acute Inpatient Beds in Newry

There are 160,615 adults and children on GP Registers in Newry & District who depend on timely access to Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry City to Consultant Led Emergency Surgery and Emergency Medical Services to save their lives. There is no nearby alternative Acute hospital with 24/7 Consultant Led ED Department.

On 1^st April 2007 the Southern Trust (Under the 2006 Establishment Order) took over responsibility and accountability to the public (from existing providers Newry & Mourne Health & Social Services Trust) to continue to PROVIDE (NOT TAKE AWAY) hospital accommodation (beds) and Services in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital.

HOW MANY INPATIENT BEDS HAVE THE SOUTHERN TRUST LEFT IN DAISY HILL ACUTE HOSPITAL, NEWRY TO PROVIDE FOR NEWRY & MOURNE POPULATION IN SEPTEMBER 2023?

There were 249.7 beds in Daisy Hill Hospital in 2010*(Ref1) but by September 2023 the Southern Trust has cut the number of inpatient beds dramatically and is now fast tracking centralisation to Craigavon despite the size and need of the larger population in Newry & District.

Newry & District’s very large population size is proven by the latest official data, as in 2023 Newry & District has the 2nd highest number of patients on GP registers in NI (with 160,615) after only Derry, including the 2^nd highest number of children in NI under 18, with (36,228 ). (Ref2*: Source DOH).

The Southern Trust rather than provide hospital accommodation (beds) in Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry – instead recently CUT the number of inpatient beds in Daisy Hill, Newry and then soon afterwards has the insensitivity to put out an appeal to the public for help because high numbers of ill patients need hospital beds due to serious overcrowding in Daisy Hill Hospital and Craigavon Emergency Departments. (30^thAugust 2023 Extreme Hospital pressures: See end for ‘Public appeal’ link*(Ref 3).

The Southern Health and Social Care Trust, with an income of nearly £945 million public money in 2021/22 has the function in Law to provide hospital accommodation (beds) and services for people in ALL the FIVE local government districts in the Southern Trust operational area (in order of population size, starting with the highest: Newry & Mourne, Craigavon, Armagh, Dungannon and Banbridge).

Yes this is correct – Newry & Mourne LGD has ALWAYS been the highest locality population of the 5 LGDs in the Southern Trust operational area (NISRA) (* Ref4) , however the Southern Trust simply will not allocate the appropriate investment on hospital buildings, services, equipment or staff in Newry & Mourne’s Acute Area Hospital – Daisy Hill.

CONCLUSION

There are unacceptable clear health inequalities in the Southern Trust right now, which must be challenged.

The Southern Trust is presently providing a 2-tier health system across its two acute hospitals.

For the population of Newry & Mourne the focus is on Acute Care at Home.

>How the Southern Trust are doing this:

The Southern Trust are enhancing ‘ACUTE’ CARE AT HOME services (with patients over 65 years to be cared for in their own homes rather than admitted to hospital), AMBULATORY (SAME DAY) HEALTHCARE and are aiming to provide ALTERNATIVES TO HOSPITAL CLOSE TO HOME as ABSOLUTE PRIORITIES for the Southern Trust for the POPULATION OF NEWRY & DISTRICT.

The Southern Trust have drastically reduced specialist acute inpatient beds in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital (DHH), Newry City and their ‘Ambitious’ plan for Daisy Hill aims to prevent and reduce inpatient medical admissions. The Southern Trust wants to transfer acute services from Daisy Hill Hospital to a community treatment centre.

>Meanwhile at the other end of the scale is the SECOND ACUTE HOSPITAL in the Southern Trust – CRAIGAVON. While Daisy Hill lost beds in 2023 – the Department of Health Budget 2023-24 proposed EXTRA BEDS & PERMANENT DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT FOR CRAIGAVON HOSPITAL AND ENHANCEMENT AFTER ENHANCEMENT. The Southern Trust steam on ahead with their unwavering plan for a £400million (2014 estimate) MAJOR NEW HOSPITAL FOR THE SMALLER POPULATION OF CRAIGAVON.

“Equality means treating people fairly and making sure they have the same chances at life.” According to the HSC Equality Action Plan 2023-28 – but how is this 2-tier health system in the Southern Trust equality?

Hospitals are paid for with public money and the Southern Trust is meant to provide services – not take them away without public consultation. Local authorities must follow the law and be accountable to the people.

REQUIRED SOLUTION:

The Southern Health and Social Care Trust must:

Invest properly in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry to ensure the large population in Newry & District is provided for and to fulfil their statutory and legal obligations towards Equality, Human Rights, Rural Needs, Rights of the Child, Good relations and Climate Change regulations.
Return specialist acute inpatient beds to Daisy Hill Hospital
Buy permanent major diagnostic equipment for Daisy Hill Hospital and
Recruit properly for staff for Daisy Hill Hospital and stop prioritising Craigavon and (Lurgan (non acute)) Hospitals.

BACKGROUND REFERENCES & ADDITIONAL DATA

Ref 1 249.7 beds in Daisy Hill Hospital in 2010 (*Ref1 : Source DOH 2010)

Ref 2 GP registers in NI Newry & District has 160,615 patients (2^nd highest in NI (after only Derry), including the 2^nd highest number of children in NI under 18, with (36,228 ) (*Ref 2: Source DOH 2023)

Ref 3 (30^thAugust 2023 Extreme Hospital pressures: Southern Trust Public appeal link: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=596100106018491&set=a.239622701666235

Ref 4 – Newry & Mourne LGD has ALWAYS been the highest locality population of the 5 LGDs in the Southern Trust operational area. (* Ref4 : Source NISRA). For more information and data on this – pls see: 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/

EXTRA DATA: HOSPITAL INPATIENT BEDS FACTS

(A) INPATIENT BEDS: ALL PROGRAMMES OF CARE (Source DOH 2010 & 2022)

249.7 Average available inpatient beds in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry. [1^st April 2009 to 31^st March 2010].
221.1 Average available inpatient beds in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry. [1^st April 2021 to 31^st March 2022].
In September 2023 – how many inpatient beds are left in Daisy Hill acute Hospital, Newry?

(B) INPATIENT BEDS: General Surgery: 1^st April 2009 to 31^st March 2010 (DOH 2010)

> General Surgery : Daisy Hill: 48.8 average available inpatient beds and 3,036 non elective inpatients
> General Surgery CAH: 85.9 average available inpatient beds and 3,727 non elective inpatients.

(C) INPATIENT BEDS: General Surgery 1^st April 2021 to 31^st March 2022 (DOH 2022)
>General Surgery: Daisy Hill: 24.2 average available inpatient beds and 2,089 non elective inpatients
> General surgery: CAH: 70.5 average available inpatient beds and 3,008 non elective inpatients.
(Non elective inpatients =unplanned/emergency). ‘Average Available/Occupied Beds: The average number of available and occupied beds during the year in wards that are open overnight, measured at midnight. Hospitals may also have a number of beds in wards that are only open during the day. Beds reserved for day care admission or regular day admission are not included.’ (Source DOH 2022).

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

Daisy Hill Hospital for Life

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

Tag Archives: Whitecross

EMERGENCY SURGERY – THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS (N.IRELAND)

BACKGROUND

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

ILLNESS PREVALANCE STATS SHOW THE NEED IN NEWRY & DISTRICT

REFERENCES AND LINKS

Real Need for Acute Hospital Services and Specialist Acute Inpatient Beds in Newry

CONCLUSION

BACKGROUND REFERENCES & ADDITIONAL DATA

INEQUALITY – STILL HERE in JUNE 2025.

REFERENCES AND LINKS

Ways to respond are detailed below.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONSULTATION LINKS

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BACKGROUND

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Ways to respond are detailed below.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONSULTATION LINKS

WHY THIS CONSULTATION MATTERS

DAISY HILL HAS BEEN PUT IN THE WRONG CATEGORY OF ‘GENERAL’ HOSPITAL – BUT THIS CAN BE CHANGED IF ENOUGH PEOPLE DISAGEE WITH THE NEW PROPOSALS

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DAISY HILL HAS BEEN PUT IN THE WRONG CATEGORY OF ‘GENERAL’ HOSPITAL – BUT THIS CAN BE CHANGED IF ENOUGH PEOPLE DISAGREE WITH THE NEW CONSULTATION PROPOSALS

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Shorter Answers V8

OR

DOH Hospital Network Consultation 2024-2025 – A Suggested Response

WHY THIS CONSULTATION MATTERS

DAISY HILL HAS BEEN PUT IN THE WRONG CATEGORY OF ‘GENERAL’ HOSPITAL – BUT THIS CAN BE CHANGED IF ENOUGH PEOPLE DISAGEE WITH THE NEW PROPOSALS

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ILLNESS PREVALANCE STATS SHOW THE NEED IN NEWRY & DISTRICT

REFERENCES AND LINKS

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HOW TO REPLY

WHY IS THIS CONSULTATION IMPORTANT?

Consultation References and Links

Other Useful links

YOUR RESPONSES WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

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CONCLUSION

BACKGROUND REFERENCES & ADDITIONAL DATA

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