A local authority has given its support to protect maternity services at Daisy Hill hospital amid “deep concerns” the service could be relocated.
The move comes as staff of the mother and baby unit raised their concerns to elected reps with the Southern Trust accepting it is facing challenges.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) has now approved a motion on Monday night to lobby the Minister for Health Mike Nesbitt (UUP) and the Trust CEO, Maria O’Kane.
Bringing the motion forward, Crotlieve Sinn Fein rep, Selina Murphy said: “We’ve been contacted by maternity staff of Daisy Hill expressing their serious concerns following the meeting with Southern Trust senior management.
“The Trust has outlined fundamental concerns regarding the capacity of maternity services across the Southern Trust area due to significant shortages of obstetrics and gynae consultants.
“Whilst this is also an issue right across the North, we are now deeply concerned about this development and what it may mean going forward for maternity services in our area.”
She added: “Any removal or relocation of maternity services would not be in the best interests of mothers and babies in our district.
“The potential implications for staff and expecting mothers and their babies if they have long journeys to travel to get to the maternity unit which could result in emergency situations arising and therefore patient safety could be compromised.
“We have been speaking with numerous midwives who have highlighted their real concerns around the potential to relocate maternity services.
“We welcome that the Health Minister has stated his commitment to maternity services at Daisy Hill. Providing quality care needs to be stabilised and a robust long term work plan implemented.
“I propose we write to the Minister for Health and the Trust CEO to seek assurances that maternity services will be protected.”
Mournes Alliance cllr, Jill Truesdale said: “I remember when I was caught in between the closure of Downpatrick maternity services with my first born and with my second I was shipped off to Lagan Valley and it was not a pleasant experience.
“The Minister for Health has said Daisy Hill should be offering maternity services and that morale with staff was at its lowest, midwives in particular.
“There has been midwife and consultant shortages for two years compounded by 40% sickness, so I would hope that the HR department is taking note of what type of sickness there is. Is it work related, is it stress? What is going on to get to the nub of the issues there.”
Slieve Gullion UUP rep, David Taylor added: “This is a very important motion for the local community. It would be unthinkable for there to be no maternity services at Daisy Hill.
“I think it is very clear the strength of the feeling there is on this issue and the support that there is for the retention of the services.
“There are challenges, nobody tries to disregard that, but certainly following the discussions I have had with the Trust over the last number of weeks, I expressed my concern about the handling of this by the Trust.
“I have also spoken directly to the Minister on the commitment he has given to Daisy Hill maternity service and that is vitally important.
“It is certainly clear the Trust will need to get to work to address these genuine concerns from staff. We need to see action.”
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