Savage Slams Trust “Travel Time” Hypocrisy

Newry SDLP Councillor Michael Savage has accused the Southern Health Trust of ‘breath-taking hypocrisy’ by refusing to travel to meet Councillors face-to-face on Monday evening to interrogate the threat to vital health services at Daisy Hill Hospital.

Councillor Savage said: “On June 5th Councillors unanimously passed an emergency motion I proposed at the monthly meeting calling on the Trust to come before us to confront the current crisis at Daisy Hill. They have offered to join the meeting via ZOOM and used the excuse that meeting online would ‘avoid any extra travel time.’

“This is breath-taking hypocrisy from a Trust that has no problem expecting the most vulnerable citizens across the rural parts of our district to put up with ‘extra travel time’ to reach urgent health services.

“A 55 minute journey from Craigavon to Downpatrick pales into insignificance when you compare it to the travel time they expect very ill local people to travel from places like Culloville and Annalong for essential healthcare.”

“The Trust need to get real and get a grip on this crisis. Did they not see the thousands of people who took to the streets on Sunday to express their fears for Daisy Hill and their fury at the poor management that has jeopardised essential medical services.

“We need to hold the Trust to account and that is why we need them in front of us answering difficult questions from the elected representatives on behalf ofthe thousands of people who took to the streets in protest at the weekend.

“Council is the only form of local democracy that is functioning here and the Trust need to come before the people’s representatives to answer for their failings. TheTrust cannot be allowed to hide behind a screen or a dodgy WiFi connection.

“The Trust need to turn up in person on Monday and allow us to interrogate their plans to get Daisy Hill, its staff and its patients, through this crisis and safeguard our hospital for future generations.

“This is too serious. Daisy Hill must be protected. Our lives depend on it.”

Ends.