Daisy Hill A&E to continue to provide 24 hour service

By Maria McCann

The A and E at Daisy Hill hospital in Newry will continue to operate a 24 hour service.

The announcement by the Southern Health Trust follows a summit of health professionals.

Warnings were previously issued that staff shortages could result in overnight closures.

But the southern trust is said to be committed to keeping the emergency department open full time.

A Department of Health spokesperson said: "All attendees at the summit agreed that in light of the clinical need, current size and projected growth of the population of Newry and Mourne, acute services need to be retained there.

While statement from @SouthernHSCT is a welcome interim solution the campaign for sustainable services at Daisy Hill Hospital must go on.

— Conor Murphy (@conormurphysf) May 2, 2017

 "Work on achieving that regional approach, in a safe and sustainable way, will now gather pace.

"This immediate pressure on emergency services in Daisy Hill is further evidence of the need for transformation in the provision of health and social care and the future planning of those services at a Northern Ireland level.

"That work also continues, in line with the principles set out in, ‘Delivering Together’ document, launched last October."