Allister raises concerns about future of Causeway Hospital
13 December 2011
Following the publication of the Compton Review into Health Care, North Antrim MLA Jim Allister has expressed the view that a plan is afoot to downgrade the Causeway Hospital and rob it of its acute status, something which he said would be disastrous for the North Coast and much of North Antrim.In a statement Mr Allister said:-
"It is clear from what Minister Poots said in the Assembly that the level of acute service across Northern Ireland is going to be radically reduced. The Compton Report, which he endorses, anticipates reducing the number of acute hospitals to as low as 5. With one, probably two, inevitably in Belfast, another in Londonderry and one in the west, how is the rest of the Province going to be catered for, especially the north of the Province?
"When asked the minister tried the cop out of saying it was a matter for the Board to decide, but the reality is that he is driving a programme of closure which will force the Board's hand. When I asked him if he anticipated an acute hospital in Coleraine in 5 years time, he failed to answer.
"I detect a plan to shut down acute services in Coleraine. In part it will be done by a programme of run-down and failing to appoint staff to key posts, all designed to induce non-viability. Two years ago I warned the Department was planning to close the A & E department. It was denied then, but under this Review the roadmap to robbing North Antrim and East Londonderry of vital services is much clearer.
"I was disappointed that the East Londonderry MP, Gregory Campbell, though present in the Assembly, did not speak up in defence of acute services in Coleraine. It now behoves all North Antrim and East Londonderry MLAs and MPs to spearhead a campaign to retain acute services in the north of the Province. I trust none will put party loyalty above the needs of their constituents."
