Ballymoney TUV candidate Jonathan McAuley has spoken of his extreme disappointment at the proposed closure of the Maternity ward in Causeway Hospital:
“It’s so sad that meetings are taking place to discuss the closing of maternity services here in Causeway. I’m a very proud father of three children, two boys and a girl, all of which were born in Causeway Hospital.
“The core issue to remember in all of this is that everyone, Trust included, admits that the maternity unit at Antrim cannot cope with the work it has at present. That is why there are plans for a new, enlarged maternity unit. Why, therefore, is there talk of closing the maternity ward at Causeway when we already know that Antrim cannot cope?
“The Trust have chipped away at the services offered at Causeway over many years. That said, the unit is staffed by an exceptionally skilled team of midwives and support workers, who do not get the recognition they deserve. The care experienced by families is second to none in Causeway. Having recently spoken to some of the team at Causeway, it is my understanding that on a regular basis, women are transferred from Antrim to Causeway for induction of labour and birth because the Antrim site cannot cope with the existing workload. While these women are inconvenienced with the travel to a unit far from home, they have all been thankful for the exemplary care, time and compassion for them from the staff in Causeway and sadly comment that this is not a common feature in Antrim due to the overly busy unit.
“I understand they have challenges recruiting consultants but what do they expect when the storyline has been that Causeway maternity is closing for the last 10+ years? The Trust itself has acknowledged concerns over travelling to Antrim Hospital, in particular for those who may experience a quick labour and birth before arriving at hospital.
“I have been able to hear first hand, that women have had negative experiences travelling to Antrim whilst in labour during the pandemic but it’s not reflected in the official feedback/complaints the Trust have.
“One concerned member of the maternity care team has told me that the narrative around safety issues doesn’t reflect the quality of care provided.
“Unfortunately, staff feel that the 14 week consultation to drop maternity service in Causeway was a waste of time and that in fact it has been a done deal before the consultation even started.
“I along with my TUV counterparts in Bann, Causeway and Coleraine plan to attend and support the UNISON Causeway Branch public meeting tonight (Tuesday 2nd May) in The Lodge Hotel, Coleraine at 7.00pm to demonstrate our opposition to the Northern Trust’s decision.”