The health working groups established by the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council have not convened for over three years, despite an agreement to meet biannually with the Southern and South Eastern Health Trusts. This situation has raised concerns regarding the ongoing health service provisions in the region, especially as significant health decisions are made without stakeholder input.
In 2017, the council agreed to assemble selected members to engage with the health trusts to discuss service provision for ratepayers. A report presented to the council’s environment committee this week revealed that the working groups last met with the trusts in 2020, and a planned meeting in February 2023 did not occur due to “lack of attendance.” This absence of engagement has sparked criticism, particularly as the community faces pressing health issues.
The report, obtained by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), indicates that the final meetings of the council’s health working groups were intended for February and March 2023 but were ultimately cancelled. A council officer noted, “My understanding is that the working group meeting in February 2023 didn’t proceed due to the lack of attendance at the working groups.” This lack of participation has left vital discussions about health services in limbo.
Concerns Over Health Service Changes
In the past few years, the region has experienced critical health care changes. Notably, in September 2023, the Southern Health Trust recommended the permanent relocation of emergency general surgery from Daisy Hill Hospital to Craigavon. This decision faced intense community backlash from residents in south Down and south Armagh, highlighting the urgent need for dialogue between the council and health trusts.
The council officer emphasized the importance of re-engaging the working groups. “The Trust had attended the council meeting last November without a working group preceding that,” he stated. It is crucial that discussions with the trusts take place at least six weeks prior to council meetings, allowing for issues to be addressed and feedback to be incorporated into official discussions.
The proposal now is to schedule the next working group meetings with the health trusts and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service for February 2026, followed by a special council meeting in March. This timeline raises questions about the council’s commitment to addressing health service concerns in a timely manner.
As the community continues to voice concerns regarding health service changes, the council’s inaction in convening these working groups underscores a significant gap in local governance and accountability. Stakeholders and residents alike will be watching closely to see if the proposed meetings come to fruition, hoping for a renewed focus on health service delivery in the Newry, Mourne, and Down area.
