New consultant appointed at Ward 15 addictions unit

New consultant appointed at Ward 15 addictions unit

15 January 2025

A PERMANENT consultant has been appointed at the award-winning Ward 15 addictions unit at the Downshire Hospital in Downpatrick.

The move comes after health chiefs were forced to close the highly regarded regional facility to admissions for two weeks over the Christmas holiday period due to a staffing issue.

The closure sparked concern about the long term future of the unit which provides vital rehabilitation for those battling alcohol and drug addiction and which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Last September, fears for the future of the unit, which provides a regional service and is also used by the Belfast and Southern health trusts, were expressed after a senior consultant accepted a job offer.

The facility is managed by the South Eastern Trust which has always insisted it was fully committed to the addictions unit and it confirmed yesterday that a new permanent consultant is now in post.

Labelling the appointment a “significant development” the health trust said the appointment reflects its ongoing commitment to enhance and expand vital addiction services across the South Eastern area.

It says the new addictions consultant will provide comprehensive, patient-focused care for those facing addiction challenges.

The health trust’s director of adult services and prison healthcare, Rachel Gibbs, said the appointment is a “step forward in strengthening addiction services” within the organisation and supports patients on their journey to recovery.

“Having a permanent addictions consultant in post means we can provide consistent, specialist care for individuals and families impacted by addiction,” she said.

“The Trust is committed to working collaboratively with patients, families and organisations to support recovery and improve outcomes across the region.”

It was confirmed before Christmas that the vacant consultant post, which was being covered on a part-time basis, had not been filled which resulted in the two-week closure to new admissions.

To compound local frustration, the health trust said the job plan for a replacement consultant was only then being finalised before the post was formally advertised.

Health chiefs also revealed they were not in a position to confirm when an appointment could be made due to a “significant shortage” of addictions consultants across the region.