Friday 20 November 2015

éirígí Newry: Daisy Hill Crisis – Lives At Risk Over Money.


Staff at Newry’s Daisy Hill Hospital are increasingly worried about its longevity as it’s believed that Stormont may have taken a long term view to its closure, with shutdowns of critical services in the short term.

A local spokesperson for éirígí, the revolutionary republican party, said, “Very recently, staff from Daisy Hill have been noted in local papers as stating that the A&E at the hospital will no longer offer a 24 hour service and all ambulance calls will be directed to Craigavon Area Hospital, and that this is likely to take affect toward the end of January, beyond which Daisy Hill A&E will be reduced. It was also noted by that source that already we are seeing the flight of staff from all levels within the hospital, as personnel try to secure longer term jobs in advance of any closure. “

He continued, “There is absolutely no reason for the Hospital or any of its services to close, except where there is a clear attempt to cut budgets and save some extra cash for the Stormont government - and that is what is happening in this instance. It is an irrefutable fact that the closure of Daisy Hill A&E will result in the loss of lives, as those from the Newry area in critical need of care are sent 25 miles further away, when faced with an emergency situation, whilst people from the Kilkeel area will face a 36 mile journey.


He finished by adding, “Can those political parties in coalition and responsible for the Six County budget and the potential closure of Daisy Hill, namely the DUP and Sinn Féin, confirm for the record that there is no intention to shut the Hospital or any of its services down?"

"If this is in the pipeline, the DUP and Sinn Féin would know exactly how, when and why. Which begs the question: why the big secret? - Just how deep are Stormont cuts going to go with Daisy Hill? And what else do we not know?”



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