The Southern Health Trust says it is still trying to avert the temporary closure of inpatient maternity services at Daisy Hill – but is actively planning to move all births to Craigavon Area Hospital from November 23 if it cannot secure enough doctors.
In an update issued on Thursday, the Trust confirmed “no formal decision has yet been taken”, but warned that the consultant obstetric workforce needed “to safely maintain inpatient maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital by mid‑November has not yet been confirmed”.
Trust Chief Executive Steve Spoerry said the organisation is therefore “continuing to plan for possible consolidation of [services] from Monday, November 23”.
The move would see all inpatient births and maternity beds temporarily consolidated at Craigavon, though the Trust has not set out in this update what, if any, services would remain on the Daisy Hill site.
The Trust says the Daisy Hill service has come under “significant workforce pressure” after the retirement and resignation of several consultant obstetricians.
Despite “sustained national and international recruitment”, it has been unable to plug the gaps – reflecting what it describes as “a wider shortage across Northern Ireland and the UK”.
An additional five permanent consultant obstetricians are needed to provide a safe service at Daisy Hill.
Mr Spoerry said: “We deeply appreciate the strength of public support for local maternity services and recognise how important these services are to women, families and the wider community. We understand the concern this situation is causing.
“Our intention remains to maintain inpatient maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital, provided that sufficient clinical expertise can be recruited and retained to support a safe and sustainable service.
“Our overriding priority remains the safety of women and babies and ensuring every woman has access to safe, responsive maternity care.”
The Chief Executive said the Trust “greatly appreciate[s] the continued efforts of our HSC and Health Service Executive partners to find solutions to avoid this situation”.
However, he warned: “If sufficient cover cannot be confirmed, we will have no alternative but to implement the contingency plan developed with teams at both hospitals and regional partners from November 23.”
He added: “Recruitment drives and efforts to secure support will continue.
“I thank our maternity team for their professionalism and compassionate care throughout these difficult circumstances. They are doing everything possible to support women and families through this period of uncertainty.”
Maternity staff are already contacting women who are due to give birth at Daisy Hill after November 23 to discuss their care.
Anyone with concerns who has not yet been contacted is asked to speak to their midwife or call the maternity information line on 028 3756 1325, Monday to Friday, 2pm–5pm.
A further update is due at the public Trust Board meeting on Tuesday, November 3, at Monaghan Row, Newry.
