Hazzard in Downe visit amid calls for more services

Hazzard in Downe visit amid calls for more services

16 January 2019

THE importance of securing more elective services at the Downe Hospital has been highlighted by South Down MP Chris Hazzard.

He said that the Downpatrick hospital — like many others — had faced many challenges over the past decade and would continue to do so in years to come.

Following a recent visit to the hospital, where he met senior officials from the South Eastern Trust, staff and patients, Mr Hazzard said it was essential to recognise the need to secure the hospital’s future.

He encouraged everyone to work towards providing further opportunities and expanding the range of elective services available at the hospital.

The MP said he was delighted at the start of the new year to have the opportunity of visiting the Downe and meet staff and patients “at the heart of this wonderful health facility in Downpatrick.”

Several months ago, it was confirmed that the Downe is to become a specialist centre of excellence for cataract surgery, with the hospital at the forefront of a new model of care.

Under the new model, the Downe, alongside the Mid-Ulster and South Tyrone hospitals, will be responsible for delivering cataract surgery for patients from across Northern Ireland.

News of the new service came after a series of recent positive announcements about the appointment of additional consultants to strengthen the Downe’s medical team, with work also underway to secure a new MRI scanner to enhance the range of diagnostic services available locally.

It’s a firm foundation Mr Hazzard is keen to build upon in the months ahead, during which time he hopes there will be a renewed drive to secure more key services for the Downe where the new cataract 

service is designed to significantly reduce surgery waiting lists.

The MP said the new service was a significant boost, not only for the Downe, but the wider community, and would result in additional health services being invested locally.

During his visit, Mr Hazzard said he was pleased to see the ongoing work being carried out to get the Downe ready to become a regional ophthalmology centre of excellence for cataract surgery.

He said the major investment will quadruple the current number of cataract patients the hospital deals with.

“This is a significant development of services and is testament to the professionalism of the staff and facilities on offer at the Downe,” he continued.

“With expanding services helping to set a more positive context to life at the hospital, it is no surprise that recruitment of key staff — including permanent consultants — has also become a reality in recent months with many new faces choosing to come to the hospital to work. 

“This is a fantastic boost for the Downe and of course the wider community who have been eager to see these key posts filled.”

Mr Hazzard, along with local health campaigners and politicians, has been campaigning for a new MRI scanner at the Downe.

In the meantime, he said he was pleased to report that while the provision of permanent scanner is still a few years away, a mobile facility will be travelling to the Downe site in the near future.

The MP added: “I have little doubt that this will be heavily used and will again prove the case that a permanent, in-house MRI scanner would be a valuable addition to the Downe Hospital.” 

During his visit, Mr Hazzard was joined by Sinn Féin representatives Oonagh Hanlon from Downpatrick and Cathy Mason from Slieve Croob. 

Mrs Hanlon said that after speaking with staff she “could not help but be impressed by their professionalism and passion for the Downe”.

She continued: “It may be a cliché, but there is no doubt that a hospital would only be bricks and mortar without its staff. That is absolutely true of the Downe. First class facilities are nothing without first class staff and at the Downe we are very lucky to have both,” she said.

Mrs Hanlon remarked: “Hospital staff are clearly eager to embrace the challenge of expanding services and I have no doubt that in the years to come the Downe’s reputation as a first class facility with passionate, professional staff will see services grow and develop further.”