Northern Trust: Emergency general surgery to move to one site

Senior management said that both hospitals are under pressure and the current dual system is “not sustainable”.

Making the case for change, the trust said that covering two surgical rotas would become unsustainable.

It also said that staff recruitment, retention, skill mix and maintaining quality care must be a priority.

It said that by proposing the move it is “pre-empting the total collapse of the surgical service” which is showing signs of becoming vulnerable.

The Chief Executive, Jennifer Welsh, said the review of general surgery was about creating a “safe, stable and sustainable service”.

BBC News NI understands that Antrim Area is the preferred option as it is the larger of the two hospitals.

There are concerns about the future of the workforce as approximately 25% of the Northern Trust’s surgeon consultants are likely to retire in three to five years.

While Northern Ireland has a general medical workforce problem – there are not enough doctors being trained in general surgery to match anticipated retirements.

The proposed move is like what happened at both Daisy Hill in Newry and the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen where there was widespread opposition.

Making their case for change the Northern Trust said while there will be greater surgical activity in Antrim they have recently invested in Causeway with the new ambulatory unit and the move would ensure its future as a hub for general surgery.