Head of civil service to meet delegation over Daisy Hill emergency department threat

The fight to save Daisy Hill Hospital’s Emergency Department from closure will be taken to the head of the civil service Sir Malcolm McKibbin on Monday.

Sinn Fein Newry and Armagh MLA Conor Murphy will lead a delegation to discuss concerns, as the Trust Board prepares to meet again later this week.

They have already given the go-ahead for Craigavon Area Hospital to be on stand-by should the ED at Daisy Hill be suspended at short notice.

Mr Murphy said Monday’s meeting will take place “to ensure that the Southern Trust are held to account for their failure to manage staff appropriately and ensure proper cover at Daisy Hill”.

He added: “This issue of sufficient medical cover for Daisy Hill’s Emergency Department has been raised with the Trust by myself and party colleagues for a number of years now.

“The Trust have employed enough senior staff in recent times to ensure there is adequate cover in both Daisy Hill and Craigavon.

“It is their responsibility to deliver 24-hour cover in the Emergency Departments and the loss of services is not the answer.”