PRESS RELEASE : It is vital a maternity unit is kept at Causeway in Coleraine [November 2022]

The press release issued by the DUP on 22 November 2022.

The DUP’s elected representatives for East Londonderry and North Antrim have vowed to work together to ensure there is a fully operational Maternity Unit at the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine.

Earlier this week, the Trust announced that they were seeking approval to go out to consultation to look at ‘future provisions of acute maternity services’.

One option being put forward is to move all maternity services to a specially built unit in Antrim. The Unit is not expected to be built until 2027.

MPs Ian Paisley and Gregory Campbell alongside MLAs Alan Robinson, Paul Frew and Maurice Bradley said that it is vital a maternity unit is kept at Causeway.

“The Trust’s plans are ludicrous given the pressure already on services in Antrim. It is crazy to expect mothers to drive for over an hour, past the front doors of Causeway Hospital, to have their baby delivered in Antrim. The removal of the maternity service would be a significant blow to the integrity of the Causeway Hospital but such a step could ultimately leave the north-east and west of the province with a complete deficient service.”

The DUP representatives have asked for a meeting with the Trust Chief Executive ahead of Thursday’s Board meeting.