Union call on public to attend Saturday rally Albert Basin, Newry at 11am on Saturday [May 13^th]

Continued public pressure the only way to guarantee delivery on promises to retain services in Daisy Hill

May 12th: Speaking ahead of the unveiling of his community branch’s latest contribution to the ‘Hands Off Daisy Hill’ campaign, Martin McKeown, branch secretary of Unite’s Newry Community branch who played a lead role in the campaign said:

“The campaign to defend services at Daisy Hill Hospital has secured a commitment from the Southern Trust for the continuation of A&E services at the hospital. This was a direct result of the powerful people power campaign which demonstrated our complete opposition to any threat to downgrade the service.

“Despite this success, we cannot take anything for granted. Words of assurance can easily be undermined by decisions behind the scenes. The Southern Trust must now underpin its promises with adequate resources.

“The Trust also needs to come clean with a full and open response to the serious allegations raised by Dr Duffin at the last Trust Board meeting – these cut to the heart of widespread fears that there are some who have a long-term agenda of downgrading Daisy Hill. We also need clarity on the future of the hospital’s fracture clinic.

“Unite in the community and our industrial branches are committed to maintaining pressure on the Trust and our politicians to deliver. Today we unveil a mural promoting the ‘Hands Off Daisy Hill’ message.

“This mural has been produced by local street artist Conor McGinley whose mother works as a nurse in Daisy Hill. It’s great to have such talent and commitment in the local community behind this campaign.

“In coming days Unite will be taking our message out to communities from Annalong to Warrenpoint, from Crossmaglen to Newry. We will be launching a car sticker which we are asking people to put up in their vehicles to demonstrate their support for Daisy Hill Hospital”, Mr McKeown concluded.