SOS Causeway Hospital 'positive' meeting with new Health Minister Robbie Butler
‘SOS Causeway Hospital’ group chairperson Gemma Brolly has described a meeting with recently appointed Stormont Health Minister Robbie Butler (UUP) as “very positive”.
Ms Brolly was part of a delegation from the community campaign, which is fighting against service cuts and the removal of emergency medical care from Causeway Hospital in Coleraine, that met the minister on Thursday afternoon.
The delegation also included: Irene McLaughlin, William Taylor, Dr Fergal Tracey, Clíodhna Rae, Dr Owen Finnegan and Dr Paul Gilmore, and Unison Policy Officer Kellie Turtle and Unison Area Organiser, Claire Bolt.
Speaking to The County Derry Post following the meeting, Ms Brolly said Minister Butler had listened to all of the points raised during the meeting “which was more than we have had before”.
She added: “Mr Butler was not pushing a timeline. He did say he has not looked at the evidence yet, he was about meeting people face-to-face first.”
Opening the meeting, Ms Brolly set out how the campaign first emerged when the Northern Health and Social Care Trust proposed transferring births from Causeway Hospital to Antrim Area Hospital - a proposal overwhelmingly rejected in the public consultation at the time.
“I noted the same pattern has now re‑emerged with the consultation on the reconfiguration of Emergency General Surgery, with the public again rejecting the removal of services from Causeway,” said Ms Brolly.
“Our community has been clear time and time again. When births were threatened, the public rejected it. When Emergency General Surgery was threatened, the public rejected it again. We have been raising these concerns for years - including presenting to Causeway Coast and Glens Council back in April 2025 - to ensure councillors had the knowledge and evidence needed to scrutinise proposals properly and to protect the people they serve,” she added.
“I explained to Minister Butler the assurances given to the group by the Trust that it had the capacity to cope with additional births, yet it now has evidence to demonstrate this was not the case.
“I also gave examples of testimonies received from patients and families, emphasising the real‑world consequences of service removal.
“‘SOS Causeway Hospital’ reiterated that it supports reform where it is genuinely evidence‑based and improves patient outcomes.
“We are not opposed to change but reform must be measured, transparent and rooted in improving safety - not simply shifting services away from Causeway without robust justification,” said Ms Brolly.
Retired Causeway Hospital Theatre Sister Irene McLaughlin highlighted the long history of service erosion:
“For years, services have been quietly lifted from Causeway and moved to Antrim. Time after time, decisions have been made without genuine transparency or meaningful listening. Our community has lived through this pattern for decades,” she said.
Clinical concerns were then summarised by Dr Owen Finnegan, with Dr Fergal Tracey.
“The narrative presented to the media — that all medical staff support this proposal — is simply false,” said Dr Finnegan.
“There is no adequate clinical, financial, operational or demographic evidence underpinning this plan. It poses risks to both Causeway and Antrim, relies on unrealistic assumptions about staff relocation, creates a domino effect across other hospital services, and contradicts the principles of Bengoa. These concerns, among others, cannot be ignored,” he added.
Unison representatives Claire Bolt and Kellie Turtle then outlined the “urgent concerns and the uncertainty facing staff” at Causeway Hospital.
“Our members are deeply worried,” they said. “Their concerns must be addressed and all staff should be listened to. Staff health and safety and patient safety go hand in hand.”
Speaking directly about the impact on rural communities, community representative William Taylor said: “This decision will hit rural families hardest,” he said. “Farmers already face unique challenges accessing healthcare. Removing services from Causeway will make those challenges even more severe.”
Our community has been clear time and time again. When births were threatened, the public rejected it. When Emergency General Surgery was threatened, the public rejected it again.
The meeting concluded with the group thanking Minister Butler for his willingness to engage.
“The Minister has undoubtedly raised the bar in terms of engagement,” SOS Causeway Hospital said. “But engagement must now be matched with action.
“We are asking for decisions to be driven by transparent evidence, publicly accessible data, and a clear commitment to improving patient safety and outcomes.
“And we must know - if this proposal proceeds and lives are lost, who will be held accountable?”