Moyle fighting back over hospital closure fears

Cllr Cara McShane was speaking after tabling a motion at a meeting of Moyle District Council and ahead of a meeting scheduled with the Northern Health Trust Chief Executive and Council at the beginning of February.

Cllr McShane said: “Moyle council serves a rural population and its citizens already have to travel to access many important and vital services. The potential threat to close the A & E at the Causeway Hospital will mean the people of this area having to travel even greater distances for emergency health care treatment. This is unacceptable in my view.

“In fact given the recent media focus on Antrim Area Hospital A & E and it is clear that this facility is already finding it difficult to cope with the increased numbers after the closure of the Mid Ulster A& E. And yet it is now recommended to increase this burden with patients currently being treated at the Causeway.

“With this region being the focal point for many tourist events such as the North West with huge numbers of visitors throughout the Summer it makes no sense that the nearest hospital is an hour away.

“I accept that the citizens of this region require excellent medical care and protection. What I Cannot accept is that we are being told that we will now have to travel unacceptable distance in emergency circumstances to receive it.”