Daisy Hill births to transfer temporarily to Craigavon from 23 November
The Southern Trust board has approved the move because consultant obstetric staffing remains insufficient; recruitment continues.
Births and inpatient maternity care at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry will temporarily move to Craigavon Area Hospital from Monday 23 November, the Southern Trust has announced.
The board approved the arrangements at its public meeting on Tuesday 3 November. This is an agreed future change; the announcement does not say the transfer has already happened.
The trust says retirements and resignations have left it unable to renew a safe consultant rota despite recruitment efforts. Up to five additional permanent consultants are required for a sustainable Daisy Hill service.
Recruitment will continue. The trust says it intends to restore inpatient maternity services if sufficient clinical staffing can be secured and retained, but gives no reopening date.
Staff are contacting women booked to give birth at Daisy Hill on or after 23 November. Anyone concerned who has not been contacted should speak to their midwife or call 028 3756 1325, Monday–Friday, 2pm–5pm.
Source publication: 2026-11-03T00:00:00.000Z
Southern Trust — maternity decision and patient advice ↗Based on the Southern Trust’s board announcement and patient guidance.