Eddie McGrady MP has received confirmation from the Chief Executive of the South Eastern Health Trust that the 9 bed Cardiac Unit in the New Downe Hospital will open as a dedicated Unit in the New Downe Hospital.

Eddie McGrady MP said;

“This decision by the Trust to go back to the originally planned 9 bed dedicated Cardiac Unit is greatly welcomed and a triumph of common sense. The objections to the amalgamation of this ward with the medical ward were so numerous in both medical and practical terms that the Trust could only after further consideration have reached this decision to open the dedicated Cardiac Unit.

However,  I am concerned that the smaller 5 bed A&E short stay ward will not open on the 28^th June when the New Hospital opens it doors, and will be amalgamated for the time being with the medical ward. The Trust have cited staffing levels as the reason for this amalgamation, and while we understand that we are in a era of money shortages this new hospital was planned for over many years, and the Trust should have ensured that the staffing needs were provided for in the planning stages for the new hospital. Further to this staffing levels are generally lower than the average in the Belfast Hospitals and the Downe is justified in asking for further staff enhancement.

I will be taking the mater of the A&E short stay ward to the Minister for Heath to seek his intervention. However, in the meantime I join with the community in the victory of securing the dedicated Coronary Care Unit in our new multi million pound hospital, and I thank those who rang my office to express their solidarity with me in the lobby to secure this dedicated Unit.

Ends.