Health Service "fighting for its very life"- Doctor

By Iveren McCallion

A consultant at Daisy Hill Hospital says the health service is "fighting for its very life".

His comments follow the Southern Health and Social Care Trust's plans for short-term closure of the hospital's Emergency Department.

It's because A&E has no permanent senior staff - it has been run by locum doctors since the last permanent doctor retired in January.

The consultant, who didn't want to be named, told Q Radio if the temporary closure goes ahead, it will increase the patient load of other hospitals, prompting a need for even more staff.

He continued, saying that a vicious cycle has been ongoing where junior doctors don't want to take jobs there because a team of consultants is not in place, leaving them to bear the brunt of a heavy workload.

"This isn't a new problem, it's been a problem for the past decade," he said, "the Health Service is fighting for it's very life at the moment and we have no leadership... we really need to have somebody, a cross-party agreed Health Minister".

The suggestion of temporary closure has prompted a group of local representatives to seek a meeting with the Trust's CEO.

It's to take place tomorrow (Tuesday).

MLAs, the hospital's action group, the Polish Consul and MP Margaret Ritchie will make up part of the delegation.

Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty will be among the group, speaking to Q Radio's Kevin McAllister, he said a closure of any kind is unacceptable:

Meanwhile Sinn Fein councillors have put forward an emergency motion for tonight's (Monday 3rd April) full council meeting.

Crotlieve councillor Mickey Ruane said, "The motion cannot be accepted as an extra item, in order to get the motion tabled the Council would need to suspend Standing Orders and for 80% of Councillors present to agree. I cannot foresee this being an issue."

He continued, "This motion is a very public portrayal of what is needed at present - a united, cohesive and forceful campaign to protect and maintain this essential service at Daisy Hill."