Daisy Hill A&E plan gets Trust's green light

By Iveren McCallion

Daisy Hill's Emergency Department will remain open around the clock.

That's from the South Eastern Trust whose Board met yesterday and agreed the details of a plan to be finalised in November.

A Pathfinder Group will be put together to manage the project led by top doctor Anne-Marie Telford.

Community representatives, medical professionals and health service stakeholders will make up the group.

Staffing issues have threatened the Newry hospital's A&E with slashed opening hours in recent months.

In a statement Dr Telford said, "This is an opportunity to not only secure services for the Newry and Mourne area, but also to provide learning opportunities to inform the provision of acute and emergency care elsewhere in Northern Ireland."

She added,"This is a ground-breaking process for Northern Ireland, and one that reflects the commitment of both the Department of Health and the Trust to maintaining access to emergency health care for people living in the Newry and Mourne area"

The group is expected to hold its first meeting early next month.