Hospital campaign group express disappointment over 'lack of communication' following 'withdrawal of Causeway Fetal Assessment Unit'

SOS Causeway Hospital Campaign have spoken of their 'extreme disappointment and concern at the withdrawal of Fetal Assessment from Causeway Hospital and the lack of communication on this withdrawal'.

Following a community rally on Saturday marching from Causeway Hospital to Coleraine Town Hall, chairperson for SOS Causeway Hospital, Gemma Brolly stated: “This is something mothers have not yet been informed of. Those mothers who are part of our campaign will know, only because we asked the Trust directly on Friday and then told the public on Saturday of their decision to strip away this service, a service which is vital to our community.”

Before campaigners set off on Saturday, they delivered tokens of thanks to the staff in Causeway Maternity.

“Myself and Gemma felt so emotional, walking down the corridor to silence instead of hearing the cries of newborn babies. The staff themselves were very emotional and spoke of how tough it has been for the past few months. The beds all neatly made and a couple exiting the Fetal Assessment Unit when we were in,” said Adele Tomb, Campaign committee member.

Hundreds then marched along the streets ensuring their voices were heard with shouts such as “Rural lives matter”, “Save Causeway Maternity” and “No ifs, no buts, no Causeway Hospital cuts.” Among the crowds were representatives of ‘Farmers for Action’, ‘Unison’, ‘Nipsa’, and fastening a strong alliance with SOS Causeway Hospital with their presence was ‘SOS Daisy Hill.’

“SOS Daisy Hill and SOS Causeway Hospital are working closely together as they fight very similar campaigns to retain their acute services. Also present at our meeting with the Northern Trust on Friday was Eddy Curtis from the SOS Daisy Hill campaign. It is very important not only to address the concerns of our individual hospitals but to put these concerns in the broader picture of what is happening across the country with our hospital services,” continued Gemma Brolly.

“We are so grateful to each and every person who took to the streets on Saturday, an action they will never regret for something they will always need. Where our voices have been ignored, our community rally has ensured those voices are now heard, while sending a strong message to those in charge that we will fight tooth and nail to return and retain our acute services, we will not be treated as second class citizens.”

A spokesperson for the Northern Health and Social Care Trust said: “All pregnant women currently in our care will receive individualised, tailored care and are assessed throughout their pregnancy with any necessary changes to their birth plans discussed and agreed with them.

“We provide women with information and advice on what they should do if they have any urgent concerns about themselves or their baby; it is not always the same action or outcome for every woman.

“There is an Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic at Causeway Hospital which operates daily, including weekends. Women can also contact a midwife 24/7 at Antrim Area Hospital’s Fetal Maternal Assessment Unit for advice and guidance.

“Every pregnancy is different and we will ensure that women are individually and clinically assessed before advising them on where they should attend for scheduled appointments or if they need urgent assessment.

“Our priority is the safety of women and babies in our care and we will continue to provide the highest standards of maternity care at both our Antrim and Causeway sites.

“Our maternity unit at Causeway Hospital remains open and will continue to provide early pregnancy assessment clinics, antenatal clinics and scheduled appointments.

“Preparations are also underway to provide enhanced antenatal clinics at Causeway Hospital so that pregnant women will have access to complex antenatal care. This means that some women will no longer have to travel to Antrim for antenatal appointments.”