A rally in Newry opposing the temporary loss of maternity services at Daisy Hill hospital will go ahead this Sunday, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports, even though a yellow weather warning covers Northern Ireland until 3pm that day.
Key points
- Rally on — Campaigners say the event starts at 2.30pm and forecasters expect conditions to ease by 1pm.
- Services at risk — According to the Southern Trust, a lack of obstetrician consultants means that, for a time, nearly 2,000 deliveries might not take place at the hospital.
- Petition grows — A UNISON petition calling on Health Minister Robbie Butler to intervene has passed 13,000 signatures.
- No decision yet — The Trust says no formal decision has been taken and it is planning for possible consolidation from Monday 23 November.
Daisy Hill SoS spokesperson Francis Gallagher said the gathering was confirmed because the weather is expected to clear before it begins. Storm Boelo is forecast to bring winds of up to 70mph to Northern Ireland from Saturday evening, with the Met Office warning in force between 6pm on Saturday and 3pm on Sunday. A mobile illuminated sign on a van will tour Castlewellan, Newcastle, Kilkeel, Warrenpoint, Camlough and Newry on Saturday between noon and 4pm to advertise the rally.
The Southern Trust has said the consultant obstetric workforce needed to safely keep inpatient maternity services at Daisy Hill by mid-November has not been confirmed. It is therefore continuing to plan for possible consolidation from Monday 23 November, and women whose babies are due after that date are being contacted by maternity staff. The Trust said no formal decision had yet been taken and that efforts to secure the necessary clinical expertise were continuing. People with worries who have heard nothing should ring the maternity information line on 028 3756 1325 (Monday to Friday, 2.00pm–5.00pm) or get in touch with their midwife.
UNISON is also pressing for a long-term plan for the hospital, with local concerns growing over travel times from Newry to Craigavon Area hospital. Mr Gallagher said all departments at Daisy Hill are interdependent and warned that removing services could leave women giving birth by the roadside. He added that the campaign group believes Mr Butler has been "scapegoated" and that responsibility cuts across the whole Executive, including the First and Deputy First Ministers. At a recent public forum, a member of Daisy Hill SoS claimed the last baby would be born at the hospital in late November, and speaker Eddy Curtis urged up to 30,000 people to attend Sunday's rally.
What it means in practice
For expectant mothers in the Newry area, the immediate practical question is where they will give birth and how far they may have to travel. The Trust says staff are already contacting women due after 23 November, so anyone who has not heard should get in touch rather than wait.
- Check your arrangements — If you are due to give birth at Daisy Hill after 23 November, contact your midwife or the maternity information line to confirm your plan.
- Allow for travel — Families may need to plan for a longer journey to Craigavon Area hospital, including childcare for other children and transport at short notice.
- Watch the weather — With strong winds forecast over the weekend, anyone travelling to the rally or to hospital should check conditions before setting out.
