The Southern Health Trust is to be given the go ahead by the Department of Health to implement the Pathfinder Action Plan in full for Daisy Hill Hospital, SDLP MLA Justin McNulty has revealed.
The Pathfinder report, headed by Dr. Anne Marie Telford, made a raft of recommendations for the future sustainability of Daisy Hill hospital, all of which have been accepted by the Southern Trust, and involves “major capital works” which, he says, are expected to be completed before the end of this year.
Welcoming the move, Mr McNulty said: “Daisy Hill is a fantastic hospital and the Pathfinder Report has been crucial in providing a clear and certain future for the hospital, especially our Emergency Department. I understand that the Department of Health have now followed through with all the necessary financial approvals to implement the Pathfinder Report in full. This is excellent news and will see a mix of capital and resource money invested in Daisy Hill amounting to £6million over the next three years.”
In the coming months, work is to commence on the creation of a new Direct Admissions and Direct Assessment Unit, which will be located adjacent to the existing emergency department. This will help support the work of the emergency department and is expected to fast-track patients through to the most appropriate service.
The Southern Trust’s new chief executive, Shane Devlin, has “a very clear vision” and Daisy Hill – as an acute hospital – is central to his plans in the years ahead, Mr McNulty revealed after the pair met recently for the first time.
He added: “I very much welcome this announcement and this investment and I look forward to seeing the capital works completed with the recruitment process for the staff needed commencing in the near future.”