By Kevin McAteer
The Southern Health and Social Care Trust has confirmed that maternity and gynaecology services at Daisy Hill Hospital have been temporarily transferred to Craigavon Area Hospital this weekend following unexpected staff sickness.
The temporary service diversion began on Friday evening and is expected to remain in place until 9.00am on Monday.
In a statement, the Trust said:
“Due to unexpected staff sickness within Obstetrics and Gynaecology services, the Trust is unable to provide safe medical cover on the Daisy Hill site this weekend.”
As a result, all obstetric and gynaecology care will be provided at Craigavon Area Hospital during the temporary diversion. A small number of maternity patients currently receiving care at Daisy Hill will also be transferred to Craigavon to continue their treatment.
The Trust said the decision had been taken to ensure the continued safety of women and babies and apologised for the disruption.
It added:
“This divert is part of our established service continuity arrangements, which are designed by our clinical teams to maintain safe, high-quality care when staffing pressures arise.”
Wider Context
This latest temporary diversion comes amid continuing concerns about the long-term future of services at Daisy Hill Hospital.
In recent years, several hospital services have been temporarily relocated or reconfigured because of workforce pressures, prompting concern among local residents, elected representatives and campaign groups about protecting acute healthcare services in the Newry area.
While the Trust has made clear that this weekend’s diversion is a temporary patient safety measure, the announcement is likely to renew discussion around the ongoing recruitment and retention challenges facing hospital services across Northern Ireland.
Advice for Patients
Women who require maternity advice or who are concerned during the temporary diversion are being asked to contact the Craigavon Area Hospital Maternity Assessment Unit on 028 3756 1830.
The Southern Health and Social Care Trust said it will continue to keep the situation under review and provide further updates if required.
ENDS
CLANRYE NEWS 