‘Temporary must mean temporary’ say Sinn Féin regarding relocation of Daisy Hill's inpatient maternity services
Dáire Hughes MP and Liz Kimmins MLA of Sinn Féin, have raised concerns over the decision to move the inpatient maternity services out of Daisy Hill, and over to Craigavon Area Hospital, describing it as 'devastating,' with it 'causing intolerable stress and anxiety for expectant mothers and their families'.
“My wife is expecting our first child and is due in early January. It was our firm hope that she would give birth in Daisy Hill,” Said Hughes, MP for Newry and Armagh.
“We are devastated by the decision to temporarily remove inpatient maternity services from our local hospital.
“Over recent months the standard of care we have got in Daisy Hill has been exceptional. Beyond their professionalism, local maternity staff are pure Newry. Their humour, bluntness and craic have eased every situation, especially when very nervous fathers-to-be are getting in the way. I can’t put in to words how grateful we are for their continued efforts.
“It really hurts that our child won’t be born in Newry, and I know that prospect hurts many others.
“I also know there are expectant mothers in a much more challenging position than my wife. I know there are expectant mothers across Newry and Armagh who have greater medical need, live further away from Craigavon, have other children or caring responsibilities and who may not have the same level of family support.
“We also know that in an obstetric emergency there is no such thing as a safe journey time and that concerns about Craigavon’s capacity and the availability of ambulance cover are real.
“That’s why I’ve described this saga as causing intolerable stress and anxiety for expectant mothers and their families, and why we’ve been consistent on the need to keep Daisy Hill delivering.
“And that’s why this isn’t the end. We will not give up. Temporary must mean temporary, and very temporary at that.
“The devastation this news has caused must focus the minds of the Trust, the Health Minister and his department. We will make sure they do not give up on Daisy Hill.”
Hughes was supported by Kimmins, who also stated that the move must be temporary and not full-time.
“As a young woman, a mother of small children and as a resident of Newry, the decision to proceed with the temporary relocation of Daisy Hill maternity services on 23rd November is devastating,” she said.
“My main concern is for pregnant women who are undoubtedly feeling incredibly anxious, as well as the amazing maternity staff at Daisy Hill who I know are gutted by this news.
“Local mothers and babies need this maternity unit, and this afternoon I made it clear to the Southern Trust that they must redouble their efforts to ensure that maternity services are reinstated as soon as possible.
“Temporary must mean temporary. My Sinn Féin colleagues and I will continue to prioritise Daisy Hill, and we will ensure the Health Minister, the Department of Health and the Trust do not give up on our maternity unit.”