Services in Downe will be returned

Services in Downe will be returned

27 May 2020

ASSURANCES from senior health chiefs that staff and services removed from the Downe Hospital to assist with the battle against coronavirus will be returned have been welcomed by SDLP politicians.

South Down MLA Colin McGrath and councillors Pete Byrne and Gareth Sharvin say the South Eastern Trust’s commitment represents a “step in the right direction”.

Mr McGrath says he is also pleased that staff relocated from the Downe to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald and the Lagan Valley in Lisburn will be paid for having to travel to both facilities.

The MLA also welcomed a commitment to repatriate equipment removed from the Downpatrick hospital, a move which he described as “critical” to the delivery of key local services.

Mr McGrath said that the promised return of day staff to manage the day procedure unit and endoscopy procedures was essential. 

“This is a key service delivered in excellence by staff at the Downe,” he continued. 

“I welcome confirmation that a private company appointed to delivering this particular service will do so for the month of June and look forward to the service being staffed by local teams in July. It is important that people get their procedures quickly and that they are carried out by local staff.”

Mr McGrath said all services that have been stripped from the Downe for what was described as a temporary period must be reintroduced.

Cllr Byrne said that over recent weeks, SDLP politicians have seen the plan to phase out lockdown restrictions enacted. 

“We have listened to and seen media reports that the NHS is able to cope with the current situation in hospitals,” he continued. “With these changes taking place, it was incumbent on elected representatives to ask questions relating to non Covid-19 related service provision and the restoration of these services.

“We appreciate assurances from the health trust, but actions speak louder than words. What we need to see is the detail of when and how services will be restored.”

Cllr Sharvin gave a guarded welcome to assurances that all staff and services removed from the Downpatrick hospital before the coronavirus outbreak would be restored, despite no detailed timetable yet in place.

He suggested the wording of the South Eastern Trust statement in relation to this key issue does not provide the assurance and comfort the people of South Down require.

“When we hear that the wall clock from the emergency department was taken down while the temporary closure was being implemented, does that give the people of South Down the feeling of honesty from the Trust?” asked Cllr Sharvin.

“The Downe Hospital was fought for by local people and today continues to be the biggest priority for everyone in our area. The excellent services provided pre-Covid-19 must be restored to save lives and protect our NHS.”

Cllr Sharvin also called on health chiefs to commit to the retention of GP out-of-hours and midwifery-led services at the Downpatrick hospital.

He added: “When the South Eastern Trust has provided its recovery plan with a time frame, only then will it have given the people of South Down the full assurance and comfort that the Downe Hospital will be restored to its normal service.”