12th October 2020
Daisy Hill Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) will reopen next Monday 19th October at 8.00am
In March, the Department temporarily closed and staff transferred to Craigavon to run a second (Non Respiratory) Emergency Department as part of the Southern Trust response to COVID-19.
The Non Respiratory ED, based in the Ramone building at Craigavon Hospital will close from 4pm on Sunday 18th October. All adults coming to the site for emergency care should go to the main ED and children should be brought to Paediatric ED beside maternity.
Welcoming the return of his ED team along with Direct Assessment Unit colleagues to Daisy Hill, Clinical Director, Dr Gareth Hampton said: “Thanks to the wholehearted support of our staff, merging emergency care on to one site alongside intensive care, gave the Trust a strong response to COVID-19 during the first peak. However, we recognise the public concern that this has brought and have been working closely through the Daisy Hill Pathfinder Group to reopen the Emergency Department.
“Increasing cases of COVID-19 in the community along with the growing pressures on emergency care, has made this a challenging process. We have been working hard to get the hospital ready for the ED reopening and have new arrangements in place to reduce the spread of infection, including separate waiting areas for paediatrics, minor injuries, respiratory and non-respiratory patients.
“We also have a phone line and the Direct Assessment Unit for GP referrals, to help avoid crowded waiting rooms and reduce waiting times for patients with urgent, but less critical conditions.
“We appeal for public understanding of the extra demands on our staff. It is absolutely vital that those who need emergency care most are prioritised. So please choose the right service and follow our guidance to protect the service and keep everyone safe.”
When coming to the Emergency Department:
Please only come to the Emergency Department with acute urgent symptoms – could you speak to your GP or community pharmacist first?
- Come alone if you can
- Wear a face covering
- Sanitise your hands
- Keep your distance
- Please follow the signage and staff guidance at all times
-ENDS-