Southern Trust point Newry Councillors concerned about maternity services to website

Councillors advised look online by Trust

for information on maternity services

By Steve Malone

THE SOUTHERN Health and Social Care Trust has directed the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to their website in a reply to their Motion to save Maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital.

The Council received correspondence from the Southern Trust, the HSC and Health Minister Robbie Butler MLA, who all said they understand the concern of the people of Newry.

“Our intention remains to maintain inpatient maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital, provided we can recruit and retain sufficient clinical expertise to deliver a safe and sustainable service,” said Colm McCafferty, Deputy Chief Executive on behalf of the Chief Executive.

“Our overriding priority is the safety of women and babies, and ensuring that every woman has access to safe, responsive maternity care.

“The Trust continues to work to secure consultant obstetricians for Daisy Hill Hospital, while also preparing contingency arrangements to temporarily consolidate births and inpatient maternity care at Craigavon Area Hospital from 23rd November 2026.

“A further update will be provided at the public Trust Board meeting on Tuesday [today] November 2026 at Monaghan Row, Newry.

“Further detailed information is available on our website, including the Trust Board paper from 24th September 2026 and a frequently asked questions document, which we hope you will find useful: Maternity Updates | Southern Health & Social Care Trust.”

Newry, Mourne and Down District councillors were united in their agreement to the Notice of Motion brought by Councillor Devlin.

Their statement said: “It was agreed that this Council recognises the vital role of inpatient maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital and the importance of safe, accessible maternity care for women across Newry, Mourne and Down and the wider region; expresses its concern at the staffing pressures threatening the sustainability of the service and believes that women should not face unequal access to maternity care because of where they live; calls on the Minister for Health, Department of Health and Southern Health and Social Care Trust to work urgently to support recruitment and retention at Daisy Hill, protect inpatient maternity services and deliver a safe, sustainable solution that works for women, families and staff.

“Council further calls for the Department of Health to review and reform the current arrangements for the recruitment, employment and deployment of specialist medical staff across Trusts, with consideration given to a region-wide approach that enables staff to be deployed according to need and supports more equitable terms and conditions, helping to address persistent recruitment and retention challenges.”

Health Minister Robbie Butler said he wants the services to remain at Daisy Hill hospital, but patient safety comes foremost and answered the Council on their request to review and reform recruitment at the Maternity services.

“With regard to the Council's call for a review of current recruitment, employment and deployment arrangements, workforce challenges across HSC are a matter of ongoing focus,” Minister for Health Robbie Butler said.

“My department continues to work with HSC Trusts and system partners to identify opportunities to strengthen workforce planning, improve recruitment and retention, and maximise the effective deployment of specialist staff across Northern Ireland. Consideration of regional approaches to workforce management forms part of this broader work, recognising the need to ensure equitable access to services and the best use of limited specialist resources.

“I welcome the Council's constructive engagement on this important issue. My department will continue to work closely with the Southern HSC Trust, healthcare professionals, staff representatives and local stakeholders to seek sustainable solutions that support women and families while ensuring the continued delivery of safe maternity care.”

A Chief Executive of the HSC said he appreciated the strength of feeling by councillors but there was no hint of reversing the decision to move the in-maternity services from Daisy Hill Hospital to Craigavon Area Hospital later this month.

“I appreciate the strength of feeling expressed by the Council members and fully recognise the importance of safe, high-quality and accessible maternity services for women and families across Newry, Mourne and Down, and the wider region,” said Mike Farrar Interim Permanent Secretary and HSC Chief Executive

“I also acknowledge the concerns that uncertainty regarding the sustainability of services cause for expectant mothers, their families, local communities and staff.

“The primary consideration for the Department and the Health and Social Care (HSC system must always be the safety of mothers and babies. The challenges facing maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital are driven by significant workforce pressure, particularly difficulties in recruiting and retaining consultant obstetricians and other specialist staff. These challenges are not unique to Daisy Hill Hospital and reflect workforce shortages being experienced across health services both locally and internationally.”