Funding boost for emergency care at Daisy Hill

Funding worth £1.65m has been announced as part of a long-term plan to sustain emergency care at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry.

The Department of Health said much of the money will go towards transforming and modernising services, and strengthening the workforce.

A new admissions and assessment unit will also be established, alongside the emergency department, a spokesperson added.

Monday’s announcement follows a campaign to save the service.

It has been welcomed by local SDLP MLA Justin McNulty, who described it as a “vital step” towards securing Daisy Hill’s future, after a “period of uncertainty”.

He added: “The people, on hearing this news, will feel a lot safer knowing now that if we need urgent emergency care we do not need to travel to Craigavon.

“We can continue to be cared for in the hospital that is at the heart of our community.”

The package of funding includes an initial £650,000 this year from the department’s health and social care transformation fund.

It also includes a £1m capital funding allocation this year from the Southern Trust, to improve infrastructure at the hospital site.

Department permanent secretary Richard Pengelly said: "Today's Daisy Hill Hospital announcement shows co-production in action - and delivering for everyone.”

Southern Trust chief executive Shane Devlin said: "We are delighted that today investment to support urgent care in the Newry and Mourne area has been confirmed by the Department. This is the first stage of a viable long-term plan.”