Daisy Hill for life

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This page is to celebrate Newry city’s Acute Hospital, Daisy Hill. Join with us to speak up & celebrate Daisy Hill for life!

A page to (1) Celebrate Daisy Hill, Newry city’s Acute Hospital, and its staff and services; (2) Promote need for expansion of specialist acute services, staff, number of beds, & imaging equipment at Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry city for the future Strategically located on the Belfast-Dublin Trans European Network, Newry has excellent road and rail links and is connected to the major Port of Warrenpoint. DAISY HILL Hospital, Newry city is the longest established acute hospital in the Southern Trust and part of a network of 10 redesignated acute hospitals in Northern Ireland, all with 24/7 consultant–led A&E and 24/7 consultant-led maternity to provide a ‘seamless web of acute hospital care’ giving safe timely access to these ‘core’ services for all the population of Northern Ireland. (‘Developing Better Services’, 2003)

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, a Queen’s University teaching hospital is located in the Newry, Mourne, South Armagh Locality which is, and has always been (since pre 2008) the largest locality of the five localities, with the greatest population and greatest need in the Southern Trust Catchment area.
‘Daisy Hill for Life’ page aims to promote the need for expansion of specialist acute services, staff, number of beds, and imaging equipment at Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry city for now and the future. Newry & Mourne LGD is projected to have the 3rd highest population in Northern Ireland of 118,500 by 2023 (Source: NI Statistics and Research Agency)

Daisy Hill is a respected Acute hospital and Queen's Teaching hospital in Newry and is currently in danger of the Southern Trust and Southern Commissioning Group's plan to remove Daisy Hill services and transfer them to a new hospital in Craigavon. This page is to share info and to help prevent proposed cuts to services and campaign for the capital expenditure for the new acute hospital in Newry as promised by Secretary of State Peter Hain in 2005, based on need and on accurate population projections. Lets keep it for our lives, and generations to come. Website: https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/

20/10/2026

3rd Highest Number of Resident Births in NI - But No Maternity Services In Newry’s Daisy Hill? Call for Dept. of Health to Step In Now Please

Birth Statistics from NISRA show that Newry, Mourne and Down Local Government District (LGD) had the THIRD HIGHEST number of RESIDENT registered BIRTHS out of the ELEVEN LGDs in NI, consistently from 2013 -2022.

The figures also show that Newry Mourne and Down (NMD) registered births have always been HIGHER than Derry City and Strabane, Lisburn and Castlereagh and Antrim and Newtownabbey LGDs – the location of Altnagelvin, Ulster and Antrim Hospitals, none of which rightly have ever had their Maternity services put under threat. (See end for the NISRA figures).

Rather than assessing the population need properly, and providing the vital timely Regional Emergency service at Daisy Hill Hospital – the Southern Health and Social Care Trust has other plans.

The Southern Trust made a shock notification to existing staff and to all future mothers-to-be in Sept 2026 that they plan to remove timely life saving maternity services from Newry’s designated Acute Hospital Daisy Hill where many thousands of babies have been born since it was established as an NHS hospital in 1949.

NEO-NATAL COTS IN DAISY HILL HOSPITAL HELPED 6,527 BABIES BETWEEN 2014 AND 2019/20

A population Needs assessment on the Regional Critical care Emergency neonatal services for Babies in Daisy Hill Hospital’s special Care Baby Unit will show that 6,527 babies needed TIMELY access to vital life saving services in the 6 Neo-natal cots in the Daisy Hill Hospital maternity Unit between 2014 and 2019/20.

If the Southern Trust had done a basic Population Needs Assessment and looked at the numbers of babies born to resident mothers in NI in Daisy Hill, they would have accepted the fact that by removing access to life saving Maternity services from Daisy Hill Newry, they are denying THOUSANDS of mothers-to-be equality of timely access to Emergency as well as planned maternity services for mothers.

It is almost inconceivable that over several years the Southern Trust have been allowed to remove all timely Regional vital life saving Emergency Surgery, Emergency Medical Stroke Acute inpatient beds and services, and the Regional Critical Care 10 bed Critical Care Unit (HDU) from Newry’s designated Acute Hospital “Daisy Hill” to Craigavon hospital, without the necessary Population Needs Assessment, Regional PUBLIC Consultation or Health Minister Approval.

As people are aware, the Department of Health allocates Public money to the Southern Trust to Provide both Local Services and Regional Emergency Services like Emergency Surgery, and Emergency Medical Acute inpatient Services like Heart & Stroke.

Consultant Led Inpatient Maternity services, Diagnostic Services and Specialist Critical Care Services for adults including High Dependency Unit and Neonatal Care Services for babies ARE ALSO REGIONAL SERVICES which should not be withdrawn from any acute hospital without a population needs assessment followed by a Regional Public Consultation which addresses concerns and approval by the Health Minister.

This is why it is essential that the Department of Health, Public Health Agency, and SPPG monitor and hold the Southern Trust to account for their failure to carry out their function TO PROVIDE, NOT DEPRIVE Accommodation and Services in Newry’s designated acute Hospital, Daisy Hill, under their founding legislation.

Their founding legislation is ‘The Southern Trust 2006 Establishment Order’ which was not taken into account and neither was the basic human right of “right to life” for unborn babies.

Only the Department of Health can now step in to uphold the functions of the provider the Southern Trust organisation.

COMMUNITY UNITED FOR DAISY HILL ACUTE HOSPITAL, NEWRY

The packed meeting in the Canal Court Hotel in Newry on 2nd October 2026, organised by SoS Daisy Hill and UNISON showed a community standing together united and determined to stop this latest threat of service removal against the most vulnerable in our society – mothers and babies.

This life saving service to mothers and babies must come to the top of everyone’s agenda.

***PUBLIC RALLY – Sunday 25th October 2026.

***SOS DAISY HILL HOSPITAL COMMITTEE in association with UNISON is holding a PUBLIC RALLY on Sunday 25th October 2026, Marcus Square, Newry at 2.30pm. Everyone has been invited to attend this Rally and stand in opposition to this latest shock of proposed removal of Births and Inpatient Maternity Services from Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry.

The entire community of Newry & Mourne, South Down and South Armagh and further afield are strngly encouraged to attend this Rally. It may be the most important Rally for Daisy Hill Hospital there has ever been.

Please share to spread the word.

***BIRTH STATISTICS FROM NISRA BELOW**

TABLE 1.2 : Trends in births (live and still) registered in NI 2013-2022 (Source NISRA)
Local Government District (LGD) of residence of mother (NI resident mothers only).

2022 (NISRA)

1st Belfast: 3,672
2nd Armagh Banbridge Craigavon: 2,694
3rd Newry Mourne and Down: 2,171 /
4th: Mid Ulster: 1,960 / 5th Derry City and Strabane: 1,717 / 6th Lisburn and Castlereagh: 1,596
7th Antrim and Newtownabbey:1,525 /

2015 (NISRA)

1st Belfast: 4,601
2nd Armagh Banbridge Craigavon: 2,990
3rd Newry Mourne and Down: 2,518
4th: Mid Ulster: 2,181 / 5th Derry City and Strabane: 2,067 / 6th Antrim and Newtownabbey: 1,799/
7th Ards and North Down: 1,756 / 8th Causeway Coast and Glens 1,726 /
9th Lisburn and Castlereagh: 1,722

FAIR EMPLOYMENT
Link to the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (NI) 1998
https://www. legislation.gov.uk/nisi/1998/3162/article/28/made

Please note – updates also available regularly at Daisy Hill for Life website at: https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/posts/

Please share to spread the word.

***SoS Daisy Hill and UNISON Public Rally on Sunday 25th October 2026, Marcus Square, Newry at 2.30pm.*****

04/10/2026

ALL UNITED FOR DAISY HILL - AREA HOSPITAL FOR NEWRY, SOUTH DOWN, SOUTH ARMAGH

HUGE THANKS to the organisers SOS Daisy Hill Group/UNISON, and to all those who spoke and contributed to the excellent united cross-community meeting which took place on Thurs 1st October 2026 at the Canal Court Hotel, Newry. This meeting was in opposition to the Southern Trust’s shock announcement of possible centralisation of Births and Inpatient Maternity Services (for the whole of the Southern Trust) from Newry’s designated Acute Hospital Daisy Hill to Craigavon Hospital.

This has all been decided at local level only by the Southern Trust. This is the same as centralisation of Consultant-Led Emergency Surgery (for children and adults alike), Emergency Medical (including Stroke), Critical Care (High Dependency Unit). ALL without the necessary Regional Public Consultation.

This meeting of minds on 1st October shows that the large community of voices united for Daisy Hill Acute Area Hospital, Newry and its dedicated, caring staff is standing strong together.

28/09/2026

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Daisy Hill Designated Acute Area Hospital In Newry is Entitled To Consultant -Led Inpatient Maternity Services

**PUBLIC MEETING **
An important Public Meeting organised by the SOS Daisy Hill Group and UNISON will take place in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry, this Thursday 1st Oct 2026 at 7pm in response to the latest Southern Trust move to potentially remove the Regional Service Consultant-Led Maternity Inpatient from Newry’s designated Acute Hospital Daisy Hill to Craigavon Hospital.

The Southern Trust say the proposed removal of the Consultant-Led Maternity Inpatient Regional Service from Daisy Hill in Newry is because of short-term staffing pressures in Maternity and Obstetrics consultant workforce at Craigavon and Daisy Hill Hospitals. The following statement written in the Southern Trust Chief Executive Update Trust Board Thursday 24 September 2026 is shown below:

‘'1.4 The Trust’s intention has always been, and remains, to maintain inpatient maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital. However, should it become necessary to maintain safe care for women and babies, this would include the TEMPORARY CONSOLIDATION OF ALL BIRTHS AND INPATIENT MATERNITY CARE AT CRAIGAVON AREA HOSPITAL. This agreed contingency arrangement has already been in place to respond to short-term staffing pressures’'

THE SOUTHERN TRUST MANAGEMENT NEEDS TO REALISE THEY ARE PAID TO PROVIDE SERVICES

The Southern Trust Management needs to realise they are not a charity using their own money, and that only the Minister of the Department of Health has the right to approve the withdrawal of Regional Services like Consultant Led Maternity, or Consultant Led Emergency Surgery or Emergency Medical Services after a Regional, not Local Consultation.

The Southern Trust were paid Management Costs from the public purse, £30 million in 2023;
£34 million in 2024;
£36.4m in 2025 to PROVIDE
(under the 2006 Southern Trust Establishment Order) Hospital Accommodation and Services in the Newry & Mourne LGD Area Hospital Daisy Hill Newry; Dungannon LGD and Armagh LGD; as well as in the Craigavon Area (Lurgan, Portadown, Craigavon )LGD Hospital in Craigavon.
They were not established to centralise hospital services and accommodation to Craigavon LGD area at a whim.

>*FACTS WHY SOUTHERN TRUST NEEDS TO PROVIDE FULL CONSULTANT –LED INPATIENT MATERNITY SERVICES AT DAISY HILL HOSPITAL, NEWRY: POPULATION AND BIRTH NUMBERS

If the Southern Trust had ever done the necessary Equality Impact Assessment, Population Needs Assessment, or Rural Needs Assessment using official population and birth figures (readily available from NISRA) they would have seen that the need for “safer” Consultant -led Maternity Services is as great if not greater when population size, Rurality, etc is taken into consideration in the Newry & Mourne LGD than in Craigavon LGD.

>1 POPULATION AND BIRTH NUMBERS - FACTS

The population of Newry Mourne and Down LGD is projected to have an estimated population of 191,022 by 2030 (including 2,182 children under 1 year old: NISRA) remaining the THIRD LARGEST LGD in NI.

The Newry & Mourne Area Hospital ‘Daisy Hill’ is the ONLY designated Acute Hospital providing Consultant -Led Maternity Services including inpatient services in the FOURTH LARGEST LAND MASS AREA in NI Newry Mourne & Down.

>>The official NISRA statistics below shows that Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry is clearly entitled to have Consultant-led Birth and inpatient Maternity and Obstetrics services just like the other Acute Hospitals in Craigavon, Altnagelvin, Ulster (in Castlereagh).

>POPULATION & BIRTHS 2019 BY FORMER 26 LGDS (NISRA):

Newry & Mourne: 105,693 (incl 1,443 births) is the 4th highest population (of 26 former lgds) with the 3rd Highest No. Of Births In NI.
Derry: 110,397(incl 1,377 births)/
Craigavon:101,489 (incl 1,352 births)
Castlereagh: 70,098 (incl 825 births).

>POPULATION & BIRTHS 2024 BY 11 LGDS (NISRA):

Newry Mourne & Down : 188,329 (incl 2,058 births): The 3rd highest LGD population in NI with 3rd highest no. of births in NI.
Derry City and Strabane : 150,858 (incl 1,681 births).
Armagh Banbridge & Craigavon: 228,645 (incl 2,353 births).
Lisburn & Castlereagh: 155,729 (incl 1,573 births).

>NI CONSTITUENCY BIRTHS (NISRA 2021 to Mar 2022)* FACTS

Removal of Consultant-led Maternity services from Daisy Hill Hospital , Newry will leave the two Constituencies of Newry & Armagh and South Down (population 227,986 and 2,791 births (NISRA*) with no Acute Hospital providing timely access to Consultant –led Birth and inpatient Maternity services necessary to save lives for better outcomes.

In comparison- East L/Derry and Foyle Constituencies (population 199,514* and 2,244* births) and Upper Bann Constituency (which includes Craigavon) population 123,128*with c1,554 births* rightly their Maternity services are not under threat (NISRA 2021 to Mar 2022)*.

> POPULATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT

If the Southern Trust had ever done the necessary Population Needs assessment before they removed timely life saving services from Daisy Hill, Newry they would have realised that Daisy Hill is the only acute hospital, (with no support hospital nearby) in the whole land mass area of Newry Mourne and Down LGD .

In comparison, the Craigavon Area (Lurgan, Portadown, Craigavon ) hospital where Consultant-led inpatient Maternity services etc are proposedly being centralised to, has FOUR support hospitals( Lurgan, South Tyrone (in Dungannon), and 2 in Armagh), and is less than 30 minutes motorway travel time from 3 Acute Hospitals in nearby Belfast including the Royal Maternity Hospital.

2. RURALITY - FACTS
Using official NISRA Land Measurements, Newry & Mourne has the third largest land area (898.3 sq km) of former 26 LGDs while Craigavon LGD is only 281.5 Sq km in size. Newry Mourne and Down LGD is the fourth largest land mass of the 11 LGDs (1,634 square km).

Many women already have long distances to travel to access to Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry for timely access to Consultant-led inpatient Maternity services - the potential extra journey to CAH put on them WILL NOT give the timely access to Birth and Consultant Led inpatient Maternity Services needed for both mother and baby for safer and better outcomes.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! (Part 2 of 2) will follow soon for more facts and more info.

You can also read this post on the website:
https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2026/09/30/enough-is-enough-daisy-hill-designated-acute-area-hospital-in-newry-is-entitled-to-consultant-led-inpatient-maternity-services-the-facts/

**PUBLIC MEETING **
A Public Meeting has been organised by the SOS Daisy Hill Group and UNISON – to take place in the Canal Court Newry, on this Thursday 1st Oct 2026 at 7pm.
Please tell everyone you know, This concerns every single one of us, This may be the most important meeting for Daisy Hill there has been ever been.

Pls share!

30/07/2026

‘This is OUR Health survey’ Last chance to have your say –closes tomorrow Fri 31st July 2026.

The Southern Trust and the DoH have shown by their permanent withdrawal of 24/7 Consultant- Led Emergency Surgery for children and adults alike, Acute Stroke and High Dependency Beds and Units and “temporarily” withdrawn Consultant-led Maternity services, that they do not want to continue to provide specialist Acute Hospital services or inpatient beds in Daisy Hill, Newry now or in the future.

The Southern Trust Annual Account Reports over the years shows that they want Capital money from the DOH only for Redevelopment of Craigavon hospital for its long term future.

These Southern Trust Plans of withdrawing Consultant- led acute inpatient Emergency Services like Surgery and Stroke from Daisy Hill are contrary to the Climate Change Act 2020, Rural Needs Act 2016, Human Rights Act, Convention on the Rights of the Child, Fair Treatment and Employment Act, and needs to be addressed once and for all.

>Question 2 is the most important Question in this ‘This is Our Health’ Postcode Survey as it asks individuals: ‘If the health service could guarantee you something, what would you want that to be?

>Please fill in the survey especially Question 2 and Question 4 and write whatever matters to you most.
>We have to let the DoH know cos if we don’t reply in large numbers, the DOH will use this ‘This is Our Health’ Postcode Survey as proof that we as individuals in this Postcode area are happy with the planned centralisation of acute hospital services and inpatient beds from Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry to Craigavon.

Quick links here > (1) Go to survey at : https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/hsc/this-is-our-health/consultation/intro/
And (2) open a second tab to this webpage for suggested reply if u need any ideas for Q2 and 4, copy the ideas from here onto the survey page >
> https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2026/07/26/sick-of-hospital-services-being-removed-from-daisy-hill-in-newry-the-dept-of-health-this-is-our-health-survey-closes-fri-31st-july-2026/

Please fill it in and pass it on.
Thank you.
ENDS

A final thought.
Using the DOH’s own definition (used in the Regional Stroke Consultation) of ‘Rural’ to mean “Areas outside a 30 minute travel time to Belfast” or “Derry” this means only the five proposed designated urban Area Hospitals will have 24/7 Consultant- led Medical and Surgical, Maternity and a full range of Acute Services, plus a Level 1 ED all secure for the long term.

25/07/2026

Are you sick of acute Hospital Services being removed from Daisy Hill in Newry? Do you think the Health Minister should do something about this?
This is your chance to write your views on the health service through the Dept. of Health’s ‘This is Our Health’ Survey. As mentioned before, it’s a short online survey to anonymously air what you really feel.
The survey asks 4 Questions, (and 6 optional Qs), but Question 2, and Question 4 are the only ones where you can speak up against the removal of services from Daisy Hill Hospital - so a reply idea for each is available here below and in the DH for life comments for this post.

Q.2. ‘If the health service could guarantee you something, what would you want that to be?

Reply Idea for Q.2:

Please guarantee that Daisy Hill in Newry is made into an Area Hospital with 24/7 Level 1 Consultant-led Emergency Services and Critical Care services maintained for the long term. Why? Because since 1971, Newry & Mourne has ranked in the TOP FOUR HIGHEST population centres in NI (of the 26 former local government districts)(Source NISRA).

Q.4 Any other comments?

Reply Idea for Q.4:

It is unacceptable that the health service I have paid into, has removed Emergency Surgery, High Dependency Critical Care and Stroke care from Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry, denying the large, mostly rural population here Timely access to life saving treatment. Since 1971, Newry & Mourne has ranked in the TOP 4 HIGHEST population centres in NI (NISRA) and has always had a higher population than Antrim, Castlereagh and Craigavon - all of which have named Area Hospitals in the new network. Why not us?

These 2 answers will also be provided in the fb comments section for this post so you can copy them and paste them into the DOH ‘This is our Health’ online Survey answer boxes if you want.

HOW TO TAKE PART
If you agree with these quick reply ideas, keep the Daisy Hill for life page tab open, along with the This is our Health survey page while following these steps:

1. Go to the online survey at the Link: https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/hsc/this-is-our-health/consultation/intro/

2. Read Q1, answer it if you want, or scroll down the page to Question 2 ‘If the health service could guarantee you something, what would you want that to be?

3. Click into the Question 2 answer box with mouse pointer (or on a phone, tap your finger into the box)

4. Type your own answer or Go to the Daisy Hill for life Facebook comment Q2 Reply:
‘Please guarantee that Daisy Hill in Newry is made into an Area Hospital with 24/7 Level 1 Consultant-led Emergency Services and Critical Care services maintained for the long term. Because since 1971, Newry & Mourne has ranked in the TOP FOUR HIGHEST population centres in NI (of the 26 former local government districts) (NISRA).

5. Copy this comment from ‘Daisy Hill for life facebook comment titled Q2 Reply + paste into the Question 2 DOH This is our Health online Survey answer box.

6. Next either answer Q3 or skip past to Question 4 Any other comments

7. Question 4: Type an answer into the Q4 Any other comments answer box – or go to the Daisy Hill for life facebook comment titled: Q4 Reply:

It is unacceptable that the health service I have paid into, has removed Emergency Surgery, High Dependency Critical Care and Stroke care from Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry, denying the large, mostly rural population here Timely access to life saving treatment. Since 1971*, Newry & Mourne has ranked in the TOP 4 HIGHEST population centres in NI and has always had a higher population than Antrim, Castlereagh and Craigavon - all of which have named Area Hospitals in the new network. Why not us? (*NISRA).

8. Copy fb comment from there and paste it into the ‘This is our Health’ online Survey Q4 answer box:

9. Hit Continue (Blue Button)

10. The rest of the Qs are optional so decide if you want to answer these or keep moving on

11. On Page 3 it says ‘Tick the box if you want to receive copy by email’ Tick if you want a copy.

12. Finally click the ‘Submit Response’ (Blue Button)

Thank you!

Pls share and pls encourage all your friends/family/community and representatives to take part in the 'This is our health' survey which closes next Friday 31st July 2026.

More information on critical Emergency and Medical services which have been unfairly removed from Daisy Hill Hospital is available from the blog at https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/, along with population sizes evidence – this information may help you if you want with ideas to write your own individual answer to Q2 and Q4,.

Please fill it in and pass it on - Thank you!

BACKGROUND INFORMATION/ WEBLINKS

Information on the DoH ‘This is our Health’ survey, which closes next Friday 31st July 2026 - is available here:

https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/hsc/this-is-our-health/

https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/hsc/this-is-our-health/consultation/intro/

NEW! Read this post with extra info and background evidence on the Daisy Hill for Life website/ blog: https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2026/07/26/sick-of-hospital-services-being-removed-from-daisy-hill-in-newry-the-dept-of-health-this-is-our-health-survey-closes-fri-31st-july-2026/

Unfortunately, no matter how we feel about not being listened to or replied to, if we don’t reply in large numbers, the DoH will use this Postcode Survey as proof that we as individuals in this Postcode area are happy with the planned centralisation of acute hospital services and inpatient beds from Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry to Craigavon.

Please share everyone! We can do it. Thank you!
ENDS

28/06/2026

Write for your Rights: For You, Your Family, & for Daisy Hill as an Area Hospital in the 2026 Dept of Health ‘This is Our Health’ Survey

The recent last minute announcement of the Southern Trust service divert from Daisy Hill Hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology service to Craigavon Hospital on Fri 19 June until 9pm on Sat 20th June 2026 is still fresh in people’s minds.
The Trust said this was due to ‘unexpected staff sickness.’ The service was reopened the next evening, but the Trust’s re-opening announcement about ‘workforce challenges across the Trust’ does little to re-assure.
This kind of temporary closure is not good for staff or service user’s peace of mind. Social media comments on various platforms showed how the service divert/removal had caused worry, uncertainty and a lack of confidence in the provider, Southern Trust with concerns that this is just a trial run for another permanent service removal from this large population’s Newry & Mourne area hospital at Daisy Hill, Newry.

This is not the first time this has happened in the Southern Trust, there is a repeat pattern of other services including Regional Emergency Services which have been “temporarily” removed from Daisy Hill Hospital, leaving the population without timely access. This latest ‘temporary’ removal leaves the public to wonder if the Obstetrics and Gynaecology service is another service that the Trust intend to centralise to Craigavon.

‘TEMPORARY’ SERVICE REMOVALS FROM DAISY HILL HOSPITAL

Even though Emergency Services like Heart, Stroke, and Emergency Surgery are REGIONAL Services, the Southern Trust “temporarily” removed and Centralised to Craigavon; Stroke services (2022) High Dependency Unit (2023) and Emergency Surgery (2023).

However, as a result, there are no TIMELY Acute Stroke, Emergency Surgery, or High Dependency Critical Care Services left in Daisy Hill, as they were all withdrawn permanently without any Regional Public Consultation when there was no Executive in place and without the necessary Population Needs Assessment.

These Regional services have not yet returned to Daisy Hill Hospital – leaving the large population without timely access to these vital CORE INPATIENT services.

YOUR CONCERNS MATTER
If this recent 2026 service divert has brought home to you the importance of your health and your health service provider – YOU CAN DO SOMETHING constructive about it today, as you can now tell the Dept of Health (DoH) through their DoH/ Public Health Agency survey out now called ‘This is Our Health’ which closes 31 July 2026.

It’s not a consultation but a very short simple online questionnaire with four questions (and 6 optional Qs). It gives you the chance to anonymously air what you really feel about hospital and health services and what you/your family’s health needs are.

Question 2 asks “IF THE HEALTH SERVICE COULD GUARANTEE YOU SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT THAT TO BE?”

Many of you will know the answer to that immediately about what you need and what is lacking. Every household may at some point need acute inpatient hospital services in Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry, including needing time critical access to Consultant- Led 24/7 Emergency Surgical and Medical care and Consultant-Led Maternity Services.

CONCLUSION: YOUR OPINION MATTERS – LET THEM KNOW WHAT YOU THINK IN THE DoH ‘THIS IS OUR HEALTH’ SURVEY

Replying to this ‘This is Our Health’ survey is an easy way to tell the Department of Health and Public Health Agency what you think about all the health policies and removal of TIMELY Life Saving Health Services from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital that have affected you and your families over many years.

You may remember on the onset of the pandemic in 2020 the Southern Trust “temporarily “closed Daisy Hill Emergency Department, with no warning to the public, placed a notice on their website :“to stay at home and wash your hands” and a notice on the door of Daisy Hill Acute Hospital stating “This Emergency Department is closed the nearest Emergency Department is in Craigavon.”

This happened when people were at their most vulnerable. In your answers you could go back to the Pandemic and tell the DOH how you and your family were affected with the removal of key specialist services from Daisy Hill including the closure of the Emergency Department.

According to this survey they say there are no right or wrong answers and they are interested in real experiences.

The DoH write: “many people care deeply about one particular issue or experience and that is still valuable.” (For anyone who needs some examples for inspiration, Suggested Answers will be provided here soon. )

Let us please answer in huge numbers and show them that we know that we are entitled to receive FAIR TREATMENT and “VALUE FOR MONEY.”

The Department of Health, using Taxpayers and Regional Ratepayers money have a Duty of Care to improve the Health and Wellbeing of the entire population of NI no matter where they choose to live, either Rural or Urban.

As you know the Southern Trust is not a Charity.

For your information SHSCT got c£1.13 BILLION income, and over £36.4 Million Management Costs in 2024/2025*, of taxpayers and Regional Ratepayers money to “PROVIDE ( not DEPRIVE) Hospital Accommodation and Services for the population in the FIVE former Local Government Districts (Localities) in the Southern Trust of which Newry & Mourne has always had the HIGHEST population.

(Newry & Mourne 111, 508 persons ; Craigavon 109,655 persons ; Armagh 66,848 persons , Dungannon 67,870 persons ; and Banbridge 53,202 persons (NISRA projected populations 2026).

Pls share and pls encourage all your friends/family/community and representatives to take part. Thank you.

For anyone who needs some examples for inspiration, Suggested Answers will be provided here SOON.

Information on the survey, which closes 31st July 2026–is available here: https://thisisourhealth.org.uk/how-to-take-part/

11/04/2026

Centralisation of Hospital Services Away from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry is Causing Major Patient Access Problems for Newry Mourne and Down population

Council Meeting on 13 April 2026 Agenda Item (Patient Transport) Gives Councillors Opportunity to Discuss Impact on Ratepayers.

Even though approx 51% of Regional rates goes towards health (2023*) the Southern Trust’s centralisation policy to remove inpatient and outpatient key core services from Newry, Mourne & Down’s only Acute Hospital at Daisy Hill, Newry has meant that adults and children alike have been forced to travel to hospitals outside their local Newry Mourne Down council area to access vital health care services e.g. Craigavon, South Tyrone, Banbridge and Belfast.

To help some older residents and families’ access hospital services and appointments outside the Newry Mourne and Down (NMD) area, NMD Council’s Sustainability and Environment Committee are seeking approval from the Council for ratepayer funding for ‘Home 2 Hospital Initiative’ Patient transport scheme costing an estimated £45,000.

Ratepayers in all 7 District Electoral Areas in Newry Mourne and Down will be expected to PAY TWICE through local rates plus Regional rates for the patient transport scheme to help some people travel to Craigavon, Belfast and other places to access hospital inpatient and outpatient Services which have been withdrawn from, or are not now being provided in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry.

Regarding the ‘Home 2 Hospital Initiative’ the NMD website states: ‘the estimated cost of delivering the scheme across the 3 District Electoral Areas of Mourne, Slieve Gullion and Crotlieve is £45,000’. The scheme is only available to some older residents, and the four other District Electoral Areas (DEAs) are not included.

REGIONAL RATES PAY FOR HOSPITAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES INCLUDING TRANSPORT – NOT COUNCIL RATES

>*The Land and Property Services Rates Bill for 2023-4 states that; ‘51% OF YOUR REGIONAL RATE GOES TOWARDS HEALTH: (INCLUDING HOSPITALS).’
These Regional rates contribute to funds for the 6 providers of Hospital and Health care services - the Health and Social Care Trusts e.g. Southern Trust, NI Ambulance Service Trust. So, ratepayers in Newry Mourne and Down Council area are ALREADY PAYING Regional Rates for a range of essential public services including health.

>WHAT RATES PAY FOR (NI. DIRECT. GOV)

This proposed patient transport initiative by NMD Council attempts to address a problem created by Centralisation of Hospital services away from Newry by the Southern Trust, but according to Official website ni.direct. gov this type of patient transport service is not the remit or responsibility of local District councils so patient transport of this kind should NOT be funded by local district rates.

NIDIRECT. GOV ‘What rates pay for’ extract explains the difference between regional and district rates, showing that ratepayers have ALREADY PAID for hospital and social services, including transport, through their regional rates. (See below)

>‘Rates fund public services in Northern Ireland, both regional and local. Your rates bill includes the regional rate and the district rate. REGIONAL RATE: The regional rate is set annually. The rate applies in each council area in Northern Ireland. This pays for services including: education, EMERGENCY, HOSPITALS, law and order, roads, SOCIAL SERVICES and community development. All ratepayers contribute towards public services.’

>DISTRICT RATE: Each council sets an annual district rate for their area in Northern Ireland. This pays for LOCAL services including: arts, events and recreation, building control, leisure/community centres, environmental health, tourism and waste management.’

District Council proposed local rates spending plans should be used for purposes to enhance ratepayers IN their local area, NOT to access services outside the local area. Local District Council rates should not be used to subsidise Regional Travel services when a health service is changed or withdrawn from the Local Government district (locality).

REGIONAL PATIENT TRANSPORT SERVICE - THE NI AMBULANCE SERVICE PATIENT TRANSPORT SERVICE:

The NI Ambulance Service Trust website details a Patient Transport Service and Voluntary Car service available to help patients travel to hospital appointments.
The NIAS website states: ‘another DUTY the ambulance service undertakes is transporting the most vulnerable patients in our community to outpatient hospital appointments. We do this by utilising our Patient Transport Service and the Voluntary Car scheme’ The NI Ambulance Service website states that ‘Our Regional Non-Emergency Medical Dispatch Centre are happy to check on any transport queries you may have on the following number 028 7134 7134.’
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The NMD Proposed 'Home to Hospital’ transport scheme is a DUPLICATION of a service already being provided and paid for as regional service for the whole of NI and is already the responsibility of the Health and Ambulance Trusts and subject to Equality rules and the Climate Change Act NI 2022.

COMMUNITY TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIPS FOR LOCAL (NOT REGIONAL) TRANSPORT

Another Regional patient transport scheme for each participating LOCAL area is the Rural Community Transport Partnerships. (See end for info).

CENTRALISATION OF HEALTH SERVICES IS CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR PATIENTS ACCESSING HOSPITALS OUTSIDE NEWRY MOURNE AND DOWN

Real-world economic and accessibility difficulties are faced by ordinary people forced to access health services in hospitals outside Newry Mourne and Down.

Patient access problems are a symptom of a hospital services centralisation policy that hits individual residents hard, that affects everyone -adults and children alike, of all ages and disabilities and must be addressed by Health Providers like Southern Trust, and government departments like the Dept. of Health who are enabling the removal of hospital services from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in Newry.

Government and Health Trusts should carry out a proper population needs assessments and revisit the centralisation of Health Services away from Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry and re-instate these services.

>CONCLUSION

The proposal seeking approval for an extended ‘Home to Hospital’ Patient transport scheme funded by local rates for an estimated £45,000 for three District Electoral Areas out of seven in NMD, will have to go before councillors for discussion at a meeting of the full Newry, Mourne and Down council when it meets on MONDAY 13TH APRIL, 2026 @ 6:30pm in Mourne Room, Downshire Civic Centre, Downpatrick.

This meeting is an excellent opportunity to bring the issues that people are facing to the Council so that the councillors, Chief executive and staff can raise this issue with the Government and those pushing for centralisation away from NMD the third largest council in NI.

Councillors should fight against the centralisation of services away from Daisy Hill acute Hospital, Newry City and lobby for the return of Newry’s Daisy Hill acute Hospital inpatient and outpatient services.
If residents do not have to travel to access hospital services (both inpatient and outpatient) OUTSIDE of Daisy Hill and Newry Mourne and Down -then extended patient transport schemes would not be needed.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

According to Census 2021, LGD Data, the Population of Newry Mourne and Down in 2021 was 182,074 with 68,397 households.
This is the 3rd largest Local Government District population in NI, and Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry was designated as a much needed major acute hospital in 2003.

Newry Mourne and Down Council covers a large land mass area of 162,827.72 hectares, the 4th largest land mass area in NI.

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ENDS

BACKGROUND AND LINKS
NMD Council Website : https://www.newrymournedown.org/councilcontinues-support-for-home-2-hospital-initiative

PATIENT TRANSPORT SERVICES AVAILABLE / LINKS

https://nias.hscni.net/services/patient-transport-service/ and NIAS/Voluntary Car Service (NIAS provides patient transport services for people attending outpatient appointments or treatment at hospital with a medical need for transport.)

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/rural-community-transport-partnerships
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/rural-community-transport-partnerships-down-district-accessible-transport

NEWRY, MOURNE AND DOWN COUNCIL AREAS COVERED
Annacloy, Annsborough, Ardglass, Ballyhornan, Ballykinlar,Ballynahinch,Bishopscourt,Bryansford, Castlewellan, Clough, Crossgar, Darragh Cross, Dundrum, Drumaness, Kilclief,Kilcoo,Killough,Killyleagh, Loughinisland, Maghera, Newcastle, Saintfield, Seaforde, Shrigley, Spa,Strangford.

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/rural-community-transport-partnerships-newry-and-mourne-community-transport

Rural Community Transport Partnerships - Newry and Mourne Community Transport: Phone:028 3026 5635
NEWRY & MOURNE AREAS COVERED
Annalong, Bessbrook, Crossmaglen, Forkhill

If you prefer to read this on the Daisy Hill for life blog - pls see this : https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/tag/centralisation/

LINKS INFO ENDS HERE

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