McGrath warns Daisy Hill maternity services may become permanent after temporary transfer

SOUTH Down MLA says families in rural communities are fearful of losing access to local maternity care as the Southern Trust prepares to move deliveries to Craigavon.

SDLP MLA Colin McGrath has warned that the temporary transfer of maternity services from Daisy Hill Hospital could become permanent, leaving families in South Down facing longer journeys to give birth.

Speaking at a Stormont health committee briefing, Mr McGrath said the proposed move had caused considerable anxiety among people who rely on the Newry hospital, particularly those living in rural areas.

The Southern Trust has confirmed it is highly probable that deliveries will transfer to Craigavon Area Hospital from November 23, following difficulties recruiting enough consultants to maintain the service at Daisy Hill.

Mr McGrath said the distance involved was a particular concern for families in the south of the constituency.

He highlighted the journey from Kilkeel to Craigavon, which can take between one hour and 13 minutes and one hour and 20 minutes by car.

He said: “People feel that they are isolated and that they are going to be further isolated by this. That isolation drives a fear which is very present amongst people that live in the rural parts of South Down.

“Having a facility in Daisy Hill is incredibly important.”

The MLA said communities had reason to fear that a temporary change to hospital services could become permanent, pointing to previous changes in healthcare provision which had not been reversed.

He said: “When we put it into the backdrop that a temporary change to a major hospital has never really ever been overturned here, what is happening is that community is just watching the service that is going away, that’s never coming back.

“People are scared witless.”

Mr McGrath said he hoped the transfer would be reversed and deliveries could return to Daisy Hill once staffing issues had been addressed.

The Southern Trust has said it is continuing to try to recruit obstetricians and gynaecologists, but has so far been unsuccessful.

Interim chief executive Steve Spoerry told the committee that the resignation of two permanent consultants had brought existing staffing pressures to a critical point.

He said the Trust would not have enough consultants to cover both routine working hours and the out of hours on call rota.

The proposed transfer would affect deliveries only. Antenatal and postnatal clinics are expected to continue at Daisy Hill.

Department of Health official Tracey McCaig told the committee that there were no plans to permanently remove births from Daisy Hill and that the hospital remained an important part of the health service network.

She said the department and the Health Minister wanted the widest possible range of maternity services to be provided locally, while ensuring safe care for mothers and babies.

Mr McGrath said the immediate prospect of the transfer had left families concerned about the future of maternity provision in their area.

The Southern Trust has described the proposed move as a temporary measure while efforts to secure the necessary staffing continue.