Story perspectives

Southern Trust weighs moving Daisy Hill maternity to Craigavon

By Drooid · Sep 22, 2026, 2:41 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Southern Health and Social Care Trust plans to move Daisy Hill Hospital’s maternity services to Craigavon Hospital.
Health Minister Robbie Butler said no final decision is made but the consultant workforce is increasingly fragile.
The Trust needs eight obstetric consultants.
It currently employs five substantive and three locum obstetric consultants.
UNISON warned the Daisy Hill unit could become unviable within weeks without additional consultant cover.

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Story summary

Southern Health and Social Care Trust plans to move Daisy Hill Hospital’s maternity services to Craigavon Hospital.
Health Minister Robbie Butler said no final decision is made but the consultant workforce is increasingly fragile.
The Trust needs eight obstetric consultants.
It currently employs five substantive and three locum obstetric consultants.
UNISON warned the Daisy Hill unit could become unviable within weeks without additional consultant cover.