Staff at Daisy Hill Hospital’s Emergency Department have been given a warm welcome as the ED doors reopen.
The team relocated to work alongside their Craigavon colleagues in response to the first surge of coronavirus in Northern Ireland.
And paying tribute to the staff for their dedication during the last few months, Director of Acute Services for the Southern Trust Melanie McClements said they are glad to be reopening the Emergency Department, but that this is a "worrying time".
She added: “We sincerely thank our Emergency Department and Direct Assessment Unit teams from Daisy Hill and indeed all those other staff who moved to work alongside their Craigavon colleagues in response to the first surge of this pandemic.
“There has been a real team effort by staff throughout Daisy Hill to get the hospital ready for the return of the ED, from estates and support services, to other departments which have reorganised to accommodate medical beds.
“With cases of Covid-19 rising in our community and more patients being admitted to hospital, recent weeks have been a stark reminder of the challenges that we have always highlighted in trying to rebuild our services.
“While we are delighted that Daisy Hill’s ED is reopened, with continued demands on our services and the growing threat of Covid-19 putting pressures on our workforce, this is a worrying time.
“We pay tribute to all of our staff for their determination and dedication to their patients and appeal to everyone to please help us to protect services for those who need them most by following our guidance and only coming to our emergency departments with acute urgent symptoms.”
- All adults attending Craigavon Hospital for emergency care should go to the main ED.
- Children should be brought to Paediatric ED beside maternity.
- Non Respiratory ED at the Ramone building is now closed.
