Local MLAs urge 'engagement' in consultation over maternity services

A number of East Derry MLAs have urged the public to engage fully in any consultation that arises following a meeting of the Northern Trust to discuss the future of the maternity unit at Causeway Hospital.

It was announced yesterday that the Trust's board would meet on Thursday to discuss the possibility of moving all consultant-led maternity care to Antrim, or indeed moving all maternity care in the Northern Trust to the Antrim Area Hospital site.

Independent MLA Claire Sugden said changes to the service had felt 'inevitable'.

"Several factors have led to this outcome, including low birth rates, particularly on the north coast with its increasingly ageing population," she said.

"Decommissioning of services in Causeway over the years has also meant that many births cannot happen here due to the risk involved.

"We do not have a neonatal unit, so mothers who experience gestational diabetes for example, already give birth in Antrim Area Hospital – the site which will be expected to take on any maternity services which may no longer be able to be provided at Causeway. 

"My preference is to ensure a safe maternity service in Causeway for all patients, so I will be supporting, at minimum, Option one.

"I am, however, conscious of other factors which many of my constituents will be thinking about, including accessibility and transport to Antrim, so certainly, I want to hear everyone’s views.

"The consultation will last for 14 weeks, with a decision expected in March or April next year. 

"It is not a decision at this stage, but rather a consultation, so I would encourage you to share your views – mothers, expectant mothers, families, staff and anyone affected by these proposed changes," she added.

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A Trust board meeting is set to take place on Thursday.

Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald said any consultation needed to be 'meaningful'.

"Maternity services provide vital care to women during what is often one of the most important and most challenging experiences of their lives," she said.

"It is important that the health needs of women in the locality are fully met and they receive care that ensures they get the best health outcomes possible.

"Any public consultation needs to be meaningful by setting out fully and clearly the evidence informing proposed options and engaging directly with the community, patients and staff.

"I would encourage everyone have their say in the consultation and express their views on the future of maternity services in the Northern Trust."

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Cllr Margaret Anne McKillop welcomed the approval of the motion.

Cara Hunter said she had 'no doubt' the news would leave people feeling 'anxious'.

"I would strongly encourage everyone to make their views known when the time comes. We need to ensure that expectant mothers here in Causeway Coast and Glens have timely access to an appropriate and safe level of maternity care," she said.

The DUP's Maurice Bradley said the Trust's announcement yesterday was 'worrying and disappointing'.

"Are we now asking mothers, who are already anxious at the prospect of giving birth, to drive past the front doors of the Causeway Hospital and travel an hour to Antrim?" he said.

"In my view this is yet another attempt to take services away from Causeway Hospital. It is my understanding that staff were told about the removal of the Department at the start of the year - so many have already sought other employment.

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"The fact the Trust is using the excuse of staffing for this consultation- is only that, an excuse. This is no more than a paper exercise.

"I would urge everyone to put their views forward when this public consultation opens - we must fight to keep the services that we have at Causeway Hospital.

"Sadly I believe that the Causeway Hospital is a victim of poor management by Northern Trusts - these powers that be are doing nothing but running our hospital down so that it is no longer sustainable."