Changes to Craigavon Hospital and Daisy Hill in Newry considered following temporary consolidation of maternity services says Southern Health Trust
Changes to both Craigavon Area Hospital and the Emergency Department at Daisy Hill are being considered as the maternity services in the Southern Health Trust are ‘consolidated’.
News of the temporary consolidation of all births and inpatient maternity care, leaving no more babies being born in Newry, has raised concerns among many pregnant women in the Newry, Down and south Armagh areas.
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Concerns have also been raised as to how Craigavon Hospital is going to cope with additional mothers and babies when services at Daisy Hill close.
It follows a statement from the Trust this week that it was experiencing ‘significant medical workforce pressures’ within inpatient maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital following a number of consultant obstetrician retirements and resignations.
When asked how Craigavon Hospital is going to cope with the extra pregnant mothers and babies, a spokesperson said; “Contingency planning will consider the changes required at both hospitals, including the capacity needed at Craigavon Area Hospital to accommodate additional births and the provision of appropriate obstetric support for the Emergency Department at Daisy Hill Hospital.
"We will work closely with the Department of Health, the Strategic Planning and Performance Group and the Public Health Agency as these plans are developed.”
In a statement the Trust said: "Despite sustained recruitment efforts across the UK and internationally, the Trust has not yet been able to recruit sufficient consultants to fill these vacancies. This reflects a wider shortage of consultant obstetricians across NI and the UK," said a spokesperson.
"The Trust’s intention has been, and remains, to maintain inpatient maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital. Our overriding priority is the safety of women and babies.”
Chief Executive Steve Spoerry said: “The Minister of Health, Robbie Butler, has asked the wider NI health and social care system to explore what support may be available to help maintain inpatient maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital.
"We welcome this intervention and are actively engaging with system partners, while continuing our recruitment efforts.
“While we work with colleagues across the system to explore every available option, it is responsible and necessary that we also develop a contingency plan.
"This would include the temporary consolidation of all births and inpatient maternity care at Craigavon Area Hospital, should that become necessary to maintain safe care for women and babies.”
Mr Spoerry added: “We are providing this update now because we are committed to communicating openly and transparently with pregnant women, staff and the wider public.”
The Trust says women don’t need to take any action at this stage. Anyone concerned should contact their midwife or call the dedicated maternity information line on 028 3756 1325 between 2.00pm and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Dr Beverley Adams, Divisional Medical Director for Maternity and Women’s Services, said: “We greatly appreciate the flexibility, commitment and dedication of our entire maternity team. Staff have worked additional hours and made every effort to sustain services at both hospitals.
"However, recent staffing changes have placed the service under significant pressure, and additional support is required if inpatient maternity care is to continue safely across both sites.
"We recognise that this update may cause concern. Our responsibility is to ensure that every woman, wherever she lives, has access to safe and responsive maternity care, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”