Southern Trust 'sorry' for delay in children's surgeries

Patients concerned over setbacks in kids' operations

Author: Tara MclaughlinPublished 10th May 2018
Last updated 10th May 2018

The Southern Health and Social Care Trust has apologised after a delay in children's operations in Daisy Hill and Craigavon hospitals.

According to the trust, services are running at reduced capacity in theatres, although emergency operations are going ahead as normal.

Full services are expected to resume in June.

It is not known how many families the delays have affected but patients will be contacted in due course.

In a statement the trust said it was 'very sorry for the distress and inconvenience' and said the delay was down to a change in the way services are run.

A helpline has also been set up, families who are concerned can phone 02837562495.

A spokesperson for the Southern Trust said:

"The Southern Trust can confirm that there has been a regrettable delay in providing some children’s surgery within the Daisy Hill and Craigavon Hospitals.

"We are transforming our children’s hospital services to deliver new ways of working that reduce the amount of time children need to spend in hospital.

"This has meant changes to how we provide services.

"We are very sorry for any distress and inconvenience that has been caused."