The Department of Health has welcomed plans to stabilise inpatient medical services at Newry’s Daisy Hill Hospital.
After serious concerns over securing enough senior medical cover, the Southern Trust has said steps will be taken to immediately stabilise services over the summer months.
Work will also continue to find a longer-term solution to address the current problems.
Fears over bed losses, losing stroke services and staff being moved to Craigavon Area Hospital have prompted a community backlash in recent weeks.
A public rally from local campaigners has also been arranged to take place at the hospital this Sunday.
The Department of Health’s Permanent Secretary, Peter May, has now urged political and community representatives to work with the Southern Trust, warning that “unfounded claims” about hospitals being downgraded were counterproductive.
In a statement, the Southern Trust said the new plan will secure the acute status of Daisy Hill, maintain a 24/7 Emergency Department and minimise impact on other services.
At a Southern Trust Board meeting in Newry, Chief Executive Dr Maria O’Kane thanked medical staff for working under “extremely difficult circumstances.”
“The aim of this process has been to find a sustainable way forward for the hospital, its patients and staff. Ensuring patient safety and supporting our staff have been absolute priorities,” she said.
Dr O’Kane said her intention was to develop more alternatives to inpatient medical admissions where appropriate, while improving patient flow and discharge.
Those with acute life-threatening symptoms should still dial 999 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Patients with less urgent symptoms are asked to call 0300 123 3 111 on weekdays between 9am-9pm.
Suspected stroke symptoms should always dial 999, but a shortage of stroke consultants at Daisy Hill means patients being transported to hospital by ambulance will be diverted to a different Emergency Department.
Arrangements are also in place 24/7 for those who present at Daisy Hill ED and are assessed as having a stroke.
After receiving appropriate treatment on site, they will be transferred to Craigavon Area Hospital or the Royal Victoria Hospital for acute stroke care.
Those who require continued rehabilitation will return to Daisy Hill’s Stroke/Rehab ward.
A Chief Operating Officer for Daisy Hill has been appointed as well as support from three senior medical consultants in Craigavon Hospital.
A temporary MRI scanner has been secured for Daisy Hill to reduce transfers for diagnostics, with additional private ambulance cover for transport between Daisy Hill and Craigavon as needed.
Dr O’Kane said that although she was now “more optimistic” about stabilising services, increased demand, financial and workforce pressure meant the need for modernisation “remain very real challenges across health and social care”.
Mr May said the department and trust remained determined to minimise impact on services and to protect Daisy Hill’s Emergency Department.
He said this was demonstrated by the department’s decision to designate the hospital as a regional overnight surgery centre, and a £9.1m upgrade of the site’s electrical infrastructure.
“I would appeal to political and community representatives to continue working with Southern Trust, as it tackles the challenges facing Daisy Hill. These challenges are the same as those experienced by local hospitals across different jurisdictions.
“Unfounded claims about plans to ‘downgrade’ hospitals damage the ability of the trust to recruit staff and stabilise services.”
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