Daisy Hill to halt inpatient births from 23 November
The Southern Health Trust says it cannot staff both hospitals safely. The plan is now facing a legal challenge.
Key points
- Inpatient maternity care at Daisy Hill in Newry is set to pause from 23 November
- Southern Health Trust board backed moving services to Craigavon hospital
- Trust cites staffing shortfalls in consultant obstetrics across both sites
- A 40-year-old pregnant woman plans a legal challenge at the High Court on Tuesday
- No time-frame has been set for restoring services at Daisy Hill
From 23 November, inpatient maternity care at Daisy Hill in Newry is set to pause for an unspecified period, according to BBC News. Board members of the Southern Health Trust have backed a plan to shift that work to Craigavon hospital. The trust argues it lacks the consultant obstetrician numbers needed to run two sites safely.
Opposition to the plan has been loud, both in Newry and in surrounding areas such as South Down and South Armagh. A legal challenge is now under way. On Tuesday afternoon, a 40-year-old pregnant woman will file court documents at the High Court, seeking to delay the change.
Why the trust says it must act
The trust states that it wishes it were not in this situation, yet it has tried every available route to hire staff. Eight permanent consultants are needed at Daisy Hill. By the end of this month, it expects to have two permanent consultants along with three temporary locum consultants.
Steve Spoerry, the chief executive of the trust, called the temporary halt a “sad day” and offered an apology to local people. He said there is no alternative, because the trust is unable to keep both sites safe for inpatient maternity care.
Capacity at Craigavon
Some people have asked whether Craigavon can absorb an extra 1,700 births expected there because of the move. The trust maintains that Craigavon is prepared for the higher demand.
Dr Beverly Adams, Divisional Medical Director, leads maternity and women’s services. She explained that a central telephone triage line staffed by a midwife would guide each woman toward the right place to deliver. Women with higher clinical risk, or those who think labour may have started, would be steered toward Craigavon.
Dr Adams also said women in rural parts of South Down and South Armagh have, in some instances, already been directed to Craigavon or the Royal Victoria Hospital. Staff are accustomed to planning for this and to giving that advice.
Plans for the coming weeks
Although the change is described as temporary, nobody has yet set a date for returning maternity services to Daisy Hill. The trust says antenatal and postnatal clinics will carry on. It also intends to keep developing a workable long-term role for Daisy Hill as a general hospital for the local population.
Arrangements are being made for women who arrive at hospital without warning. Each woman will be allocated a named midwife at registration. Ambulance crews will be able to route patients to Craigavon or another suitable unit, depending on need.
The outcome of the legal challenge is not yet known. The plan remains subject to that challenge, and no final decision on the court action has been reported.
Frequently asked questions
What is changing at Daisy Hill?
Inpatient maternity care at the Newry hospital is set to be paused from 23 November. The Southern Health Trust board has backed moving that work to Craigavon hospital, according to BBC News.
Why is the trust making this change?
The trust has been unable to hire enough consultant obstetricians to run both sites safely. It needs eight permanent consultants at Daisy Hill and expects two, plus three locums, from the end of this month.
Is there a legal challenge?
Yes. A 40-year-old pregnant woman plans to file court papers at the High Court on Tuesday afternoon, aiming to delay the plan.
Sources
This article was written with the help of AI from reports by the outlets listed above. See our Editorial Policy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.