Call for Southern Trust chief to reassess decision not to attend Daisy Hill public meeting

The meeting in the Canal Court Hotel, which is due to take place on Wednesday, November 8, was called by the SOS Daisy Hill committee following a decision by the trust to remove emergency surgery from the hospital.

That proposal has been sent to the Department of Health for final approval.

In a letter seen by the Newry Reporter, the Trust’s CEO, Dr Maria O’Kane, said that “as the Trust previously participated in a public meeting, during our consultation on the provision of emergency general surgery and the proposal is now with the Department of Health for decision, it would not be appropriate for us to attend a  further public meeting at this time". 

Francis Gallagher, chairman of the SOS Daisy Hill committee, condemned the Trust for not agreeing to attend the meeting to update the community.

He said, “It is the role and duty of any public official to attend public meetings to update members of the public on any proposals they may have, that have a detrimental impact on their health. 

“Approximately 10,000 people from our region attended a public rally to display their anger at the proposals to remove emergency surgery and stroke services from Daisy Hill Hospital. Nearly 12,000 people responded to the public consultation.

“Why consult if you are not going to listen to the will of the people?” 

Mr Gallagher concluded, “I will be writing to the Chief Executive of the Trust to ask her to reconsider her decision and attend the people’s public meeting at 7pm on Wednesday, November 8 2023. I will also be writing to the Permanent Secretary to ask him to use his office to intervene on this serious matter.”

More in this week’s Newry Reporter.