"Closure of Maternity Services Will Put Lives at Risk"

"Closure of Maternity Services Will Put Lives at Risk" - Brolly

Aontú candidate for Bann DEA , deputy leader Gemma Brolly, has expressed concern over the consultation process for Causeway Maternity Unit. Following last week’s ‘Listening Event’ she is urging everyone to express their views before this week’s deadline.

“The Causeway Maternity Listening Event last week was a welcome opportunity to ensure that all views could be heard. The event began with a presentation which detailed the pathway to this point. This included how five possible options for the future of the maternity unit have now been reduced to two. As professionally delivered as this presentation was, it could not detract from the angst and frustration in the room”.

“There were a number of people present from various backgrounds, including a very insightful retired midwife. She questioned the panel on the need to locate a major maternity unit so close to Belfast when Causeway offers a perfectly feasible half-way point between Antrim Area Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital.

The response concentrated on the presence of a neo-natal unit in Antrim and not in Causeway. At this point, I felt it necessary to remind the presenter that: upon opening Causeway Hospital, a neo-natal unit had been prepared but never fulfilled. The quiet, gradual reduction of services in Causeway Hospital over the years including the transfer of mothers with gestational diabetes, could be interpreted as a long-term plan, with this chapter calumniating in the removal of maternity services from Causeway. This, however, is only one chapter.”

Mrs Brolly concluded, “this is one of the most important issues in our community. We must send a clear and strong message, that the people in the Causeway Coast and Glens will not stand by and watch as life-saving services are stripped from our community. If this ‘consultation’ is true to it’s name, we have an opportunity to ensure each and every voice is heard, refusing this injustice. The closing date, however, is 3rd MARCH 2023.
If closure of the Causeway maternity unit causes the loss of a single life, then that is one too many. We are people, not statistics. I urge every single person, young and old to ask all questions and express their views and concerns using the proforma on the Northern Trust website at http://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/hsc/1cdd7352/consultation/intro/”

ENDS

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.