A&E TO GO FROM LAGAN VALLEY BY 2013

This week the Trust confirmed plans to change the A&E at the Lisburn hospital to a minor injuries unit by 2013. They also confirmed that a review of all A&E departments in the Trust area was being carried out.

The announcement comes just a week after the Trust revealed plans to close the Downe Hospital A&E department at night, with medical cover being provided by an out-of-hours GP, even though the hospital in Downpatrick is brand new.

According to a document just released by the Trust the Lagan Valley Hospital does not have the support services to enable the accident and emergency department, which handles 30,000 patients a year, to continue.

The document states: "The hospital does not have critical care, laboratories, an observation ward or on site emergency surgery and therefore has limited ability to cater for emergencies. This is not generally understood by the local community and therefore the hospital is more likely to experience issues of clinical risk."

Following the release of the document, which is now subject to public consultation, a spokesperson for the Trust confirmed there was no future for an A&E at the Lagan Valley.

"The 2002 Developing Better Services document clearly set out the future services to be delivered out of Lagan Valley Hospital. The proposals indicated that ultimately there would not be an emergency department service at the hospital, but rather a minor injuries unit service.

"The recent draft joint commissioning plan has indicated that full implementation of Developing Better Services will be acquired by 2013. The Trust will obviously be considering the implications for Lagan Valley Hospital. The current consultation and engagement process will provide an opportunity for members of the community to express their views and concerns."

Lagan Valley MLA Paul Givan has expressed grave concerns about the Trust's proposals said he believed that, following the current review of the service, the change could happen even sooner than predicted.

"I have raised this issue with the Chief Executive of the Trust on a number of occasions and the response would give me cause for concern," said Mr Givan. "I recognise the 2002 Delivering Better Services Document recommended that the A&E should be downgraded to a minor injuries unit as opposed to the current acute facility, which in my view is completely inappropriate and this proposal should be scrapped.

However the proposal was not due for implementation until 2013 but the Trust has now initiated a review of its Emergency Departments across all of their hospitals including the Lagan Valley.

"I am concerned this review may conclude the Accident and Emergency facility should be downgraded and timescale for implementation accelerated."

Mr Givan said he would be raising the issue with the Health Minister and pressing for the proposals to be scrapped.