Health working groups associated with the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council have not convened with local Health Trusts for over three years. This lack of engagement comes despite a commitment made in August 2017, where it was agreed that selected council members would meet twice yearly with the Southern and South Eastern Health Trusts to discuss service provision for residents.
A recent report presented at the council’s environment committee highlighted that the working groups have not met since at least 2022, primarily due to a “lack of attendance.” A council officer explained that a scheduled meeting in February 2023 did not take place for this same reason. The officer noted, “The last meetings of the council’s health working groups were scheduled for February and March 2023, but did not proceed.”
The initial agreement for these meetings was aimed at fostering communication between the council and the Health Trusts, which also included the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS). Over the past few years, the council area has faced significant health challenges. Notably, in September 2023, the Southern Health Trust recommended that emergency general surgery be permanently relocated from Daisy Hill Hospital to Craigavon, a decision that sparked considerable opposition from communities in south Down and south Armagh.
In light of the ongoing health concerns and the lack of engagement, the council is now seeking to re-establish these working groups. The officer emphasized the importance of these meetings, stating, “The Trust had attended the council meeting last November without a working group preceding that.” The intention is to facilitate discussions between the Trusts and the working groups six weeks prior to council meetings, allowing for relevant questions and issues to be addressed.
Plans are now in place to schedule the next working group meetings with the Trusts and NIAS for February 2026, leading up to a special council meeting in March. This re-engagement is viewed as crucial for addressing the pressing health issues faced by the communities in the area.
As the council works towards revitalizing these discussions, the focus remains on ensuring that the voices of local residents are heard and that their health concerns are adequately addressed.
