Demonstration Held Regarding Proposed Emergency Surgery Cuts at Causeway Hospital

A demonstration occurred outside Causeway Hospital on Saturday, with participants protesting proposals to discontinue emergency surgery services at the facility. The SoS Causeway Hospital Group organized the rally, stating that the event underscores the opposition of the Causeway Coast and Glens community members to the proposed plan. The Northern Health Trust has put forward a proposal to consolidate Emergency General Surgery (EGS) services onto a single hospital site, with Antrim Area Hospital being the most probable location. Presently, these services are distributed across Antrim and Causeway Hospitals. According to senior management, the existing dual system is considered “not sustainable.” Should these proposals be implemented, planned, uncomplicated surgical procedures would exclusively be performed at the Causeway site. Advocates for the hospital contend that the public remains unconvinced and unreassured that this change will lead to improvements in waiting list durations and times, or enhance the health and well-being of individuals. The procession on Saturday commenced at Causeway Hospital and concluded at Coleraine Town Hall. Gemma Brolly, who chairs the SOS Causeway Hospital Group, delivered speeches at the rally, stating: “I’m appealing to the minister – and the trust – to go back to the drawing board to design the way forward.” William Taylor of Farmers For Action asserted that rural hospitals are a necessity, not merely an option. He further remarked: “The service is very important for rural areas.” DUP MLA Maurice Bradley indicated that an alternative solution was required. He commented: “It leaves a large area without acute services – and totally reliant on ambulance care which is under resourced.” Matthew Sheperd recounted that his daughter Joniece might have perished without Causeway Hospital, as she was delivered via emergency Caesarean section. He stated: “If it had not been there we would have had to travel to Antrim and that would have been a matter of life or death, and my daughter would not have made it.” He added: “Rather than improving a service, they are taking a service away. It makes no sense.” Dr. Fergal Tracey, a retired consultant formerly employed at Causeway Hospital, also spoke. He remarked: “This is potentially a big downgrade for the hospital. Antrim hospital is critically overstretched – as is the ambulance service.” In a released statement, the Department of Health (DoH) confirmed that the public consultation process conducted by the Northern Health Trust concluded in late November, and the trust is now reviewing the findings. The statement further indicated that the DoH and the Public Health Agency will maintain collaboration with the trust as it progresses in formulating plans for the restructuring of general surgical services across its various hospital locations. It also specified that any alterations to services will adhere to the Department’s Guidance on Change and Withdrawal of services and will necessitate ministerial approval.