McNulty calls for Newry consultation on hospital plans

Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry.Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry.
Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry.
SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has said it is “extraordinary” that the Department of Health has not included Newry as a venue in the public consultation on the future of the North’s hospital network.

Mr. McNulty was speaking after the Department of Health announced that their consultation meeting for the Southern Trust Area would be taking place in Armagh.

Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty said: “I am urging the Health Minister to schedule a public meeting in Newry on the future of our hospital network.

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"I don’t think it is reasonable to expect people from Crossmaglen, Newry and Kilkeel to travel to Armagh to participate in a public consultation on the future of our hospitals.

“Previous attempts at consultation by the Southern Trust in relation to emergency general surgery withdrawal significantly undermined public confidence in this area. I am urging the Department of Health to learn from the mistakes made by the Southern Trust, and to listen to the people Newry, south Armagh and South Down.

“The Department of Health has proposed designating Daisy Hill as a ‘General Hospital, providing defined secondary care services…geared to a specific, more isolated geographical location’.

“I do not believe this is an appropriate designation for Daisy Hill, and neither do the vast majority of the people I represent.

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"The Department of Health needs to schedule a public meeting in Newry to listen to the views of the community and to act in accordance with those views.”

A departmental spokesperson said: “The Department of Health has organised a series of in-person public events at locations across Northern Ireland as part of the region-wide consultation on the hospital reconfiguration framework.

"The events have been scheduled for the evening (7pm start) and are being held in a central location in each Trust area. The timing and locations have been selected to try and maximise public participation.

“For those unable to travel to an in-person meeting, a general online consultation event will be available for anyone, regardless of location. This will take place on Tuesday 11 February at 7pm.”

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