Inpatient maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry will be temporarily suspended starting November 23. The Southern Health Trust has voted to transfer all deliveries to Craigavon Hospital, citing an inability to recruit enough consultant obstetricians to safely staff both facilities.
Steve Spoerry, chief executive of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, described the decision as a “sad day” for the community. He apologized to local residents but emphasized that the trust had exhausted all recruitment attempts and had no other viable alternative. The trust stated it cannot continue to provide safe inpatient maternity care across both hospitals with its current workforce.
Staffing Shortages Drive Consolidation
The trust requires eight substantive consultants to maintain safe operations. By the end of November, Daisy Hill will retain only two substantive consultants, supplemented by three locum consultants. This deficit has forced the consolidation of services, a move that has drawn significant opposition from residents in Newry, South Down, and South Armagh.
While the suspension is labeled temporary, the trust has not provided a specific timeline for the restoration of services at Daisy Hill. Spoerry noted that the trust will continue to work toward building a viable future for the facility as a general hospital serving the local population. Antenatal and postnatal services will remain active at Daisy Hill, but labor and delivery will shift entirely to Craigavon.
Legal Challenges and Patient Safety
The consolidation plan faces immediate legal scrutiny. A 40-year-old pregnant woman lodged judicial review papers at the High Court on Tuesday afternoon, seeking to delay the implementation of the suspension. The legal challenge highlights the deep community resistance to the changes, with many residents fearing reduced access to emergency care.
Concerns have also been raised regarding Craigavon Hospital’s capacity to handle the additional demand. The transfer is expected to result in approximately 1,700 extra births at Craigavon. The trust maintains that the facility is prepared to manage this increase. Dr. Beverly Adams, Divisional Medical Director for Maternity and Women’s Services, confirmed that a centralized telephone triage service will be implemented to direct patients appropriately.
Women registering for birth will be assigned a designated midwife. The ambulance service will also be equipped to triage women to Craigavon or other appropriate locations based on risk levels. Dr. Adams acknowledged that women in more rural areas, particularly in South Down and South Armagh, have already been advised in some cases to give birth at Craigavon or the Royal Victoria Hospital. She stated that advising higher-risk women to attend Craigavon is the correct protocol.
Preparations are underway for women who may attend the hospital unexpectedly. The trust has outlined protocols to ensure that all women receive appropriate guidance on where to seek care during labor. The suspension marks a significant shift in healthcare delivery for the region, with the trust insisting that patient safety remains the primary driver behind the decision.
Source: BBC
