To ask the Minister of Health for an update on his Department's efforts to ensure there is no suspension of maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital.

Officials have recently been made aware that in recent months Southern Health and Social Care Trust have had to put in place diverts from Daisy Hill Hospital to Craigavon Area Hospital due to workforce challenges.

An early alert notification was made to the Department on 14th October, however the Permanent Secretary had discussions with both the Trusts’ Chair and Chief Executive prior to this which highlighted the significant pressures the Trust are currently facing in relation to Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

My officials have had ongoing discussions with Southern HSC Trust which commenced on 10th October to seek:

An assessment of the situation;

A summary of Trust efforts to maintain the current service to date;

An update of any engagement (internal and external) on the issue in recent weeks;

Options under consideration and an assessment of viability or otherwise, including any external support which would assist;

Officials also coordinated a regional meeting with other Trusts to highlight the issues Daisy Hill are currently facing and to ascertain if any support may be forthcoming.

Officials are now receiving a daily situation report from Southern Trust which provides an update on staffing levels, escalation status and activity levels across Daisy Hill Hospital and Craigavon Area Hospital. They also continue to meet with the Trust regularly to discuss the Trust’s medium to long term plans to stabilise the service.