Church Condemns Closure
The decision to close the services of the accident and emergency department of the Mid Ulster Hospital so suddenly is something which has shocked and disgusted the local communities of South Derry and East Tyrone.
The Mid Ulster Hospital has served the needs of this community well for generations and should be classed as an asset and be developed rather than down-graded. It is heart breaking to see what once was active medical wards now being used as office and storage space. With the increasing numbers of people having to wait ludicrously long hours in Antrim Area Hospital Accident and Emergency, and in some cases critically ill people having to wait on trolleys for up to and over 24 hours for admission to a ward. Surely it would make more sense for the Minister of Health and Social Services, Michael McGimpsey MLA, to invest in hospitals such as the Mid Ulster Hospital instead of moving to remove services from these assets.
We at St. Lurach’s (Maghera) and Killelagh (Swatragh) Parish Churches wish to add our voice to the vast number of people who have already spoken out and signed petitions in protest against the closure of our local hospital.
