Council hands over hospital petition to Trust chief

Members of the Cross-Party Working Group handed over 2,500 signatures to Chief Executive, Mr Hugh McCaughey at the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust Headquarters.

Chairman of the Corporate Services Committee, Councillor Stephen Martin said: “The people of Lisburn wholeheartedly support the future of 24 hour services at the Lagan Valley. Recent cases highlighted in the media have clearly demonstrated that Accident and Emergency Departments in the Greater Belfast area are already at bursting point, unable to cope with the demands being put on their services and staff.

“The strengthening of services at Lagan Valley are crucial, not only for the people of Lisburn, but also to ease the unsustainable pressure on our neighbouring hospitals.

“I remain hopeful that a solution can be found to ensure that our residents have access to appropriate local medical services, whatever time of day or night,” said Mr Martin.

The Trust’s consultation on emergency care at Lagan Valley Hospital ended on April 18.

Chief Executive Mr McCaughey said: “The Trust welcomes input from Lisburn City Council in taking forward proposals to sustain the Emergency Department at Lagan Valley Hospital. The Trust and Council have been working together for the benefit of people in the Lisburn area, and this is something we would like to see continuing.”