Downe needs support to play significant role

Downe needs support to play significant role

20 October 2021

THE importance of the Downe Hospital delivering a suite services to meet the needs of the community cannot 

be overstated, a senior politician has insisted this week.

South Down MLA Colin McGrath — who has been reappointed the SDLP’s health spokesman — said the hospital is ready to play its role, but needs government support to do so.

His comments come after health campaigners called for the local hospital’s role to be significantly enhanced, with the return of all pre-Covid services, the addition of a new extension and the delivery of a promised MRI scanner to allow the Downe to enhance its diagnostic capability.

Mr McGrath said people’s health is his priority, something that has never before been more important in a post-Covid society.

He said the health system must be ready to meet the old and new challenges and opportunities it will face. 

“The past 18 months have shown us that when we work together, there is much that can be accomplished on a large level,” he continued.

“However, at a local level we have felt the impact of a health crisis under pressure more than anywhere with the consistent loss of services at the Downe. In our society, that there continues to be injustice and inequality in our healthcare system is something that should shock us out of any potential apathy that all is rosy and well.

“As we emerge from the pandemic, this should awaken us to action in a collective effort to take stock of where our health service is and what can be done to bring it to where it needs to be.”

Mr McGrath said healthcare staff must also be a priority for everyone as, without them, the health system would simply collapse. 

“Within the Downe Hospital for instance, we have seen staff moved about and relocated to other hospitals within the South Eastern Trust. And while it is important that the jobs of staff are secure, it’s also important that they have a sense of consistency and the opportunity to advance in their careers,” he said.

“The sad reality is that many of our staff are now burnt out a result of their work over the past 18 months. We need to sort out how our healthcare heroes are paid a wage that reflects the work they do and that they have proper working conditions.”

Mr McGrath said taking a critical look at how the ongoing waiting list is funded is also critically important which he also described as a priority moving forward.

“The simple matter is that people are having to wait too long to see a consultant and the waiting lists are getting ever longer. This cannot go on,” he declared.

“Coming from a rural constituency we need to address how rural healthcare services are delivered and methodologies such as the community pharmacy can be supported in a way that enables them to challenge our rural health care needs.  

“Where this concerns the Downe Hospital specifically is that it is essential that we have the services that meet the needs of the community. What I hear from people on the ground is that the Downe is ready to play it’s role, if it was only supported from central government to do so.”

Mr McGrath said he is also conscious that many people are fearful about the future of GP services and are concerned that they cannot see their doctor.

“Our GP services have never been busier and our doctors work all day, every day. But the system is broken and needs to be fixed. There are many issues that are so important and need investigated and enhanced such as mental health, youth mental health, perinatal care, cancer services and more.

“As I take up my party’s health spokesman role, I am fully aware of the responsibility it involves and will now be endeavouring to meet with all of those stakeholder groups who I know will be instrumental in being a part of this. I’ll be meeting with the public to hear their thoughts as well.”

Mr McGrath added: “A post-Covid society offers us many opportunities, but we have to seize them and make them work. The public’s health is my priority and I want to ensure it remains the priority of central government.”