Concerns for expectant Newry mothers’ being cast into postcode lottery for safety has caused an “urgent” call for a health staff review ahead of a public rally in the city.
The Southern Trust recently made a “shock” announcement that almost 2,000 babies may temporarily not be born at Daisy Hill due to a lack of obstetrician consultants available at the hospital.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council this week (Oct 5) unanimously opposed a move of maternity services over “life and death” fears for local pregnant women having to make emergency journeys to Craigavon Area hospital instead.
Bringing forward the motion, Mournes SDLP councillor Laura Devlin said: “Women should not face unequal access to maternity care because of where they live.
“This council calls on the Minister for Health, Department of Health and Southern Health and Social Care Trust to work urgently to support recruitment and retention at Daisy Hill, protect inpatient maternity services and deliver a safe, sustainable solution that works for women, families and staff.
“The council further calls for the Department of Health (DoH) to review and reform the current arrangements for the recruitment.”
An online petition by the trade union, UNISON seeking the Minister of Health to save Daisy Hill’s maternity services has now reached almost 12,000 signatures.
Health Minister Robbie Butler (UUP) has reacted to the petition by confirming “no final decision has been made” with the Southern Trust chief saying its “overriding priority” is the safety of women and babies.
The motion in chambers gained cross party support with expectant mothers in the district said to be in “high anxiety” over the medical services matter.
Slieve Croob Alliance councillor Helena Young said: “This is a hugely significant issue for the people of Newry and Mourne, south Armagh and south Down.
“The current events represent a collapse of the current service and not its transformation.
“The DoH, the Minister and the Southern Trust must exhaust every option to ensure maternity services remain at Daisy Hill.”
Newry Sinn Fein councillor Valerie Harte added: “Expectant mothers in the district are in a state of shock and total anxiety at this news..the service is so badly needed in this area.
“It could be a matter of life and death for expectant mothers and their babies.
“We can accept the simple narrative that expectant mothers must travel to Craigavon, that is not good enough, because in an obstetric emergency there is no such thing as a safe journey time.”
A hospital support group, ‘SOS Daisy Hill’ held a recent packed house public meeting of 1,200 people in a Newry hotel in opposition to the proposed maternity changes.
A public rally has been announced on social media by the campaigners to take place in the city’s Marcus Square on Sunday 25 October at 2.30pm demanding political leaders to lobby the Minister for Health Robbie Butler (UUP) to intervene.
Mournes DUP councillor Henry Reilly said: “I can’t for the life of me understand how they are trying to convince us that Craigavon can cope with another 1,750 babies a year from Daisy Hill.
“If you look at a pregnant woman trying to get from Annalong to Craigavon, it is quite distressing to think of it.
“I don’t remember having so many calls and messages from people suffering real anxiety about pregnant mums because of the discussion around the proposed temporary closure of Daisy Hill…it would be devastating.”
Slieve Gullion UUP councillor David Taylor added: “I have listened to some very personal stories from mothers who said only for the service that was provided at Daisy Hill either themselves or their child may not be here today.
“I have raised this issue directly with the senior executives of the health trust and with the Health Minister, my party colleague (Robbie Butler) to ensure every reasonable option is explored.”
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