Ministry team condemns service closure at Mid Ulster

Speaking of the decision a spokesperson commented "The decision to close these services so suddenly has shocked and disgusted the local communities of South Derry and East Tyrone". He continued "The Mid Ulster Hospital has served the needs of this community well for generations and should be classed as an asset to be developed rather than down-graded".

Commenting on the plans to divert services to other hospitals the Ministry team spokesperson said "It is heart breaking to see what once was active medical wards now being used as office and storage space. With the increasing numbers of people having to wait ludicrously long hours in Antrim Area Hospital Accident and Emergency, and in some cases critically ill people having to wait on trolleys for up to and over 24 hours for admission to a ward".

As an alternative to closure he continued "Surely it would make more sense for the Minister of Health and Social Services, Michael McGimpsey MLA, to invest in hospitals such as the Mid Ulster Hospital instead of removing services from these assets". He concluded "We at St. Lurach's (Maghera) and Killelagh (Swatragh) Parish Churches wish to add our voice to the vast number of people who have already spoken out and signed petitions in protest against the closure of our local hospital".