By Nicola Grant October 16th 2026

The news that the Southern Health and Social Care Trust have said that while no decision has yet been taken with regards to the closure of Daisy Hill Maternity unit, they are notifying expectant mothers that no babies will be born in the unit after 23rd November 2026 speaks volumes about the future of the unit.

Whilst the argument for closure put forward by the trust and the medical profession is the safety of the mothers and babies, none of them seems to have taken onboard the inherent danger and risks for women in labour travelling miles to get to Craigavon Maternity unit across roads that are not fit for purpose and the stress this adds to parents. No one in this decision-making process has adequately addressed this issue, nor have they factored in that the majority of mothers never see a consultant and midwives carry out the delivery procedures.

The Workers Party is concerned that the unit will be allowed to close permanently as there is nothing temporary about this move. Absolutely no consideration has been given to the consequences for all other grades of staff that made Daisy Hill the unit of choice for the people in the wide catchment area it covers. The people of Newry, Armagh, and South Down are entitled to know why it is deemed possible for consultants to travel from Craigavon to Newry to deliver a safe clinical service.

Once again, it is clear that patients are expected to follow staff and that all of the fine words around ‘accessible services’ are a myth. The fight for the future of Daisy Hill Hospital will be much harder if they are allowed to get away with stripping out services on a so-called temporary basis