McNulty: Department of Health needs to take local views on board
It is “imperative” that the Department of Health takes on board the views of local people in relation to Daisy Hill Hospital.
SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty was speaking following the close of the Department’s consultation on a hospital reconfiguration framework.
He said: “I was proud and pleased that so many people across Newry, South Armagh and South Down made a point of engaging in the Department’s consultation and making their voices heard. The passion for Daisy Hill locally is immense, and there was a very evident mobilisation of the community to ensure that local voices were heard.
“Like a lot of people locally, I was very disappointed that the Department of Health failed to facilitate a public meeting in Newry during the consultation process. That would have been a good opportunity for the Department to rebuild some of the trust that has been lost between local people and the health authorities. The Department needs to learn from those mistakes.
“The Department of Health started the consultation process with a recommendation to downgrade Daisy Hill to General Hospital status. That is an inappropriate designation for Daisy Hill, and one that will be roundly rejected by local people.
“If the Department of Health wants to act in people’s best interests, then they need to take the views of the people on board. I will continue to ensure that the voices of local people are heard in Stormont when it comes to Daisy Hill Hospital, and I want to make sure that the Department respects the input provided by local people in this consultation.”