Menu
15/06/2012
Poots Putting Brakes On Causeway Hospital Announcement - Dallat
SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat has spoken of his dismay that an expected announcement on the future of the Causeway Hospital A & E Department, which was due to be made public at a meeting of the Northern Health Trust next Friday, has effectively been shelved on the instructions of the Health Minister Edwin Poots.
The Northern Health Trust has now indicated that their plan to put the decision into the public domain has been cancelled and all documents would be sent to the Minister.
In a letter to the Trust, dated 12 June, the Minister indicated that he would make public to the Assembly, the public and all stakeholders all documentation simultaneously.
Following a follow-up conversation with a board official Mr Dallat said: "This does not come as a total surprise to me given the total opposition to downgrading the A & E Department at the Causeway Hospital.
"In a recent adjournment debate I secured in the Assembly, a record number of MLAs spoke out against any plans to restrict the opening hours of the A & E Department. In the meantime a public campaign has been gaining widespread support and a march to the hospital was in the planning.
"It seems now that the meeting of the trust next Friday which was to be in public will be held behind closed doors and I do not expect any decision to be made on the recommendation of the Local Commissioning Group led by Dr Brian Hunter.
"I also believe that given the Assembly will be in recess by 2 July the Minister will make no decision before the summer.
"However I would advise that postponing a decision in the hope that the widespread opposition to the proposal to downgrade the status of the Causeway Hospital will diminish is foolish.
"It irritates me and many other people that, while the people of Fermanagh are rightly celebrating the commissioning of a new hospital, the people of East Derry and North Antrim are fighting to retain a hospital which was built little more than a decade ago.
"The new hospital in the South East was hard fought for and I can tell the Minister that the people of this area are not ready to surrender their struggle for the Causeway which spanned three decades."
(CD)
The Northern Health Trust has now indicated that their plan to put the decision into the public domain has been cancelled and all documents would be sent to the Minister.
In a letter to the Trust, dated 12 June, the Minister indicated that he would make public to the Assembly, the public and all stakeholders all documentation simultaneously.
Following a follow-up conversation with a board official Mr Dallat said: "This does not come as a total surprise to me given the total opposition to downgrading the A & E Department at the Causeway Hospital.
"In a recent adjournment debate I secured in the Assembly, a record number of MLAs spoke out against any plans to restrict the opening hours of the A & E Department. In the meantime a public campaign has been gaining widespread support and a march to the hospital was in the planning.
"It seems now that the meeting of the trust next Friday which was to be in public will be held behind closed doors and I do not expect any decision to be made on the recommendation of the Local Commissioning Group led by Dr Brian Hunter.
"I also believe that given the Assembly will be in recess by 2 July the Minister will make no decision before the summer.
"However I would advise that postponing a decision in the hope that the widespread opposition to the proposal to downgrade the status of the Causeway Hospital will diminish is foolish.
"It irritates me and many other people that, while the people of Fermanagh are rightly celebrating the commissioning of a new hospital, the people of East Derry and North Antrim are fighting to retain a hospital which was built little more than a decade ago.
"The new hospital in the South East was hard fought for and I can tell the Minister that the people of this area are not ready to surrender their struggle for the Causeway which spanned three decades."
(CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 October 2024
Health Minister Unveils Hospital Reconfiguration Framework
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has launched a new framework aimed at reconfiguring hospitals across Northern Ireland to create a more sustainable and efficient network of care. The document, titled 'Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes', outlines the key principles that will guide the reorganisation of hospital services.
Health Minister Unveils Hospital Reconfiguration Framework
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has launched a new framework aimed at reconfiguring hospitals across Northern Ireland to create a more sustainable and efficient network of care. The document, titled 'Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes', outlines the key principles that will guide the reorganisation of hospital services.
12 April 2002
Causeway Hospital a sign of Executive’s “commitment to health”
The new Causeway Hospital is a visible sign that health is a major priority for the Northern Ireland Executive, the First Minister David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan, have said.
Causeway Hospital a sign of Executive’s “commitment to health”
The new Causeway Hospital is a visible sign that health is a major priority for the Northern Ireland Executive, the First Minister David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan, have said.
14 March 2014
Finance Minister Warns On Future Public Spending
Finance Minister Simon Hamilton has said the next number of years in Northern Ireland will "eclipse even the last four years of austerity.
Finance Minister Warns On Future Public Spending
Finance Minister Simon Hamilton has said the next number of years in Northern Ireland will "eclipse even the last four years of austerity.
08 January 2002
Virus closes hospital beds across province
Hospitals in Northern Ireland are struggling to deal with the effects of a common virus which has left people waiting on trollies for beds and caused a severe backlog in surgery. The virus, which affects patients and staff, comes as hospitals throughout the province struggle to cope with an increased number of patients because of winter illnesses.
Virus closes hospital beds across province
Hospitals in Northern Ireland are struggling to deal with the effects of a common virus which has left people waiting on trollies for beds and caused a severe backlog in surgery. The virus, which affects patients and staff, comes as hospitals throughout the province struggle to cope with an increased number of patients because of winter illnesses.
19 January 2023
DoH Secretary Outlines Measures To Address Health Service Pressure
The Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health (DoH), Peter May, has outlined the measures being taken in an effort to address increasing pressures on the Health Service. Alongside this work to mitigate current pressures, action is also needed for the longer term to put the health and social care system on a sustainable footing.
DoH Secretary Outlines Measures To Address Health Service Pressure
The Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health (DoH), Peter May, has outlined the measures being taken in an effort to address increasing pressures on the Health Service. Alongside this work to mitigate current pressures, action is also needed for the longer term to put the health and social care system on a sustainable footing.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
