By Ryan Sands
A review of activity at the Downe Hospital has concluded that there is no longer a need for two doctors to be on duty there overnight.
A change in night-time cover at the Downpatrick facility to one doctor was confirmed in a South Eastern Trust statement issued yesterday (Tuesday) in response to concerns raised by Aontú about “a reduction in services”.
Highlighting that she had been advised about changes to overnight medical staffing arrangements in the Downe, the party’s local representative, Rosemary McGlone, said that there are “serious concerns about the future of the hospital and the ongoing erosion of services”, adding that this “causes understandable anxiety for patients and families who rely on timely access to treatment and emergency care”.
“I have been contacted by constituents concerned by reports that doctor cover at the hospital during the night was reduced from two doctors to one at very short notice,” she continued.
“This situation seems to be ongoing.
“If these reports are accurate, they raise serious questions about staffing resilience and patient safety.
“Was this reduction in cover planned or unplanned?
“Communities need reassurance that the Downe Hospital is being properly staffed and resourced at all times.
“We cannot have situations where vital services are weakened due to staffing shortages.”
Ms McGlone added that her party was “seeking clarification from the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust on current staffing levels”.
“Given the Downe Hospital’s vital role in serving a large rural population, any suggestion of reduced medical cover is deeply concerning,” she stated.
“Recent public debate has highlighted instances where services at the Downe Hospital were reduced because of shortages of appropriate medical staff, leading to concerns about healthcare provision in this rural area.
“The people of South Down need assurances that adequate staffing levels will be maintained, that contingency plans are in place and that the Downe Hospital will continue to provide safe and effective care for the population it serves.
“I am deeply concerned about the future direction of this hospital.
“Rural communities already face longer travel times to access healthcare services.
“Any further reduction in capacity or staffing would place additional pressure on patients, families and frontline healthcare workers.”
When contacted for comment, a spokesperson for the South Eastern Trust responded that it “remains fully committed to maintaining and strengthening medical services at the Downe Hospital” and that its “key priority, as always, is the safety of our patients”.
“A review of activity at the Downe Hospital found that the historic requirement for two doctors overnight was no longer supported by service demand data,” she highlighted.
Read the full comment from the Trust in the current issue of the Mourne Observer.
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