SoS Causeway campaigners thank Health Minister for meeting but say 'engagement must now be matched with action'

SOS Causeway Hospital said they welcomed the opportunity to “outline deep and longstanding concerns regarding the continued removal and reconfiguration of services from Causeway Hospital” during the meeting on September 3.

Opening the meeting, SOS Causeway Hospital Chairperson Gemma Brolly set out how the campaign first emerged when the Northern Health and Social Care Trust proposed transferring births from Causeway Hospital to Antrim Area Hospital.

“Our community has been clear time and time again,” Ms Brolly said.

“When births were threatened, the public rejected it. When Emergency General Surgery was threatened, the public rejected it again.

"We have been raising these concerns for years - including presenting to Causeway Coast and Glens Council back in April 2025 – to ensure councillors had the knowledge and evidence needed to scrutinise proposals properly and to protect the people they serve.”

She said that the group was given assurances by the Trust that they had the capacity to cope with additional births, but claimed that SoS Causeway “now have evidence to demonstrate this was not the case”.

Ms Brolly also gave examples of testimonies received from patients and families, emphasising the "real‑world consequences of service removal”.

The group reiterated that they support reform where it is genuinely evidence‑based and improves patient outcomes.

“We are not opposed to change,” the SOS Causeway Hospital chairperson said. “But reform must be measured, transparent and rooted in improving safety – not simply shifting services away from Causeway without robust justification.”

Retired Causeway Hospital Theatre Sister, Irene McLaughlin, highlighted what she called a “long history of service erosion”.

“For years, services have been quietly lifted from Causeway and moved to Antrim. Time after time, decisions have been made without genuine transparency or meaningful listening. Our community has lived through this pattern for decades,” she said.

Clinical concerns were raised by Dr Owen Finnegan and Dr Fergal Tracey during the meeting.

Dr Finnegan said: "There is no adequate clinical, financial, operational or demographic evidence underpinning this plan.

"It poses risks to both Causeway and Antrim, relies on unrealistic assumptions about staff relocation, creates a domino effect across other hospital services, and contradicts the principles of Bengoa. These concerns, among others, cannot be ignored.”

UNISON representatives, Area Organiser Claire Bolt and Policy Officer Kellie Turtle, also attended, outlining urgent concerns and the uncertainty facing staff.

“Our members are deeply worried,” they said. “Their concerns must be addressed and all staff should be listened to. Staff health and safety and patient safety go hand in hand.”

Community representative William Taylor spoke about the impact on rural communities.

“Farmers already face unique challenges accessing healthcare. Removing services from Causeway will make those challenges even more severe,” he said.

The meeting concluded with the group thanking Minister Butler for his willingness to engage.

“The Minister has undoubtedly raised the bar in terms of engagement,” SOS Causeway Hospital said.

“But engagement must now be matched with action.

"We are asking for decisions to be driven by transparent evidence, publicly accessible data, and a clear commitment to improving patient safety and outcomes. And we must know, if this proposal proceeds and lives are lost, who will be held accountable?”