No babies to be born at hospital from end of November — SkimNews
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- Southern Health and Social Care Trust voted to suspend inpatient maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital from 23 November, citing an inability to recruit enough consultant obstetricians to safely operate both sites.
- Daisy Hill Hospital will no longer host births after 23 November, though antenatal and postnatal services will continue as the Trust aims to maintain its role as a general hospital.
- Craigavon Hospital will absorb approximately 1,700 additional births annually, with the Trust asserting it is prepared for the increased demand despite concerns about capacity.
- Steve Spoerry, Chief Executive of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, called the suspension a 'sad day' and apologized to the community, stating there was no safe alternative given current staffing levels.
- A 40-year-old pregnant woman is set to file judicial review papers at the High Court to challenge the Trust’s decision and seek a delay in the implementation of the suspension.
- Dr Beverly Adams, Divisional Medical Director for Maternity and Women's Services, said a centralised telephone triage system with midwives will guide women to Craigavon if higher-risk or in active labour.
Why it matters: Women in Newry, South Down, and South Armagh face longer travel for emergency or planned births, with no timeline for restoring local services. The Trust’s inability to staff eight substantive obstetrician roles—down to two permanent and three locum consultants—forces reliance on a single regional site, increasing strain on Craigavon and raising access concerns for rural patients.
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