The South Eastern Trust is committed to involving staff, service users, local communities and the general public in the decisions we make about our services. One of the ways we do this is by seeking views and feedback on plans, proposals and service changes through formal public consultation exercises.
We publish our current consultations and how you can get involved here.
Contact details
Strategic & Capital Development Department
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Kelly House, Ulster Hospital
Dundonald
BT16 1RH
Tel: 028 9055 0434
Text phone: 028 9151 0137
Email: consultation@setrust.hscni.net
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Public Consultation on The Future Provision of Urgent and Emergency Care Services Ards and North Down area
Urgent and emergency care services in Northern Ireland have experienced significant and growing pressures for a number of years, which have been further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Increasing demand, an ageing population and workforce challenges continue to have a significant impact.
The Trust is facing increasing challenges with providing safe and sustainable urgent and emergency care services, particularly to the population of Ards and North Down. It is clear that change is required to enable us to sustain and provide high quality urgent and emergency care.
The Trust held a 12-week public consultation between 8 February and 3 May 2023 to seek public views on the Future Provision of Urgent and Emergency Care Services in the Ards and North Down area.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESS
As part of the consultation, there were a range of opportunities for staff and the local community to provide their views. Further detail on the consultation process can be found in our consultation feedback report.
Consultation documentation is available below:
Easy Read Consultation Document
In keeping with the commitments in our Equality Scheme we carried out an Equality Screening and Rural Needs Impact Assessment which can be viewed on the following links:
CONSULTATION FEEDBACK
The feedback received during the consultation process was presented to Trust Board on 28 June 2023. After careful consideration, the Trust Board approved the proposal to deliver a new, 7 days a week Consultant led Urgent Care Centre, alongside the new Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital.
The Trust Board‘s recommendation has now be considered by the Department of Health, in line with its policy and guidance on change or withdrawal of service.
The Trust welcomes the Department of Health’s decision to approve proposals for the reshaping of urgent and emergency care services.
A new and improved service will be based at the Ulster Hospital, replacing the Minor Injury Unit (MIU) at Ards Community Hospital and the Minor Injury Unit at Bangor Community Hospital. The Bangor unit was closed on a temporary basis in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This closure will be made permanent under the proposals endorsed today by the Trust board.
As detailed in the public consultation, the initial phase of the plans would see the opening of a Minor Injury Unit 8am-6pm, 7 days a week at the Ulster Hospital site.
The Ards Community Hospital, less than five miles away, currently operates 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.
The second phase of the service change involves provision of a full Urgent Care Centre 8am-8pm, 7 days a week, co-located with the new Emergency Department in the Ulster Hospital’s Acute Services Block.
A summary of consultee feedback and the Trust’s response to the feedback can be found in the consultation feedback report available on the link below:
The Trust wishes to extend its thanks and appreciation to all those individuals, elected representatives, groups and organisations who responded to the consultation process.
If you have any queries on the consultation please contact the Trust on 028 9055 0434 or email consultation@setrust.hscni.net.
Click here to read the Press Release.
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Public Consultation on the temporary changes to Urgent and Emergency Care services at Lagan Valley Hospital, Lisburn
On Monday 18 October 2021, opening hours at the Lagan Valley Hospital Urgent Care Centre were temporarily changed from 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday, to 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday. A ‘Phone First’ service was also introduced on this date.
The decision to reduce the opening hours by two hours a day was taken by the Trust in response to the significant shortage of suitably qualified emergency medical staff and the ability to maintain high quality standards of care for patients. Patient safety is the Trust’s key priority and there was no alternative to making this decision.
The ‘Phone First’ service involves patients being assessed by a senior doctor over the phone and ensures people receive the right care, first time. This system is being implemented across the region and is consistent with the Department of Health’s Review of Urgent and Emergency Care services in Northern Ireland.
The Trust held a public consultation between 23 February and 22 April 2022 to seek public views on the temporary changes outlined above.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESS
As part of the consultation, there were a range of opportunities for staff and the local community to provide their views. Further detail on the consultation process can be found in our consultation feedback report.
Consultation documentation is available below:
Link to Consultation questionnaire
In keeping with the commitments in our Equality Scheme we carried out an Equality Screening and Rural Needs Impact Assessment which can be viewed on the following links:
Link to Rural Needs Impact Assessment
CONSULTATION OUTCOME
The feedback received during the consultation process was presented to Trust Board on 29 June 2022. After careful consideration, the Trust Board approved the following recommendations:
- Continue with the temporary reduction in opening hours.
- Continue with the Phone First system.
- Temporarily rename the facility as an ‘Urgent Care Centre’ to better reflect the services currently delivered.
The above recommendations were made in the absence of any suggestions of viable alternatives to address the significant shortage of suitably qualified emergency medical staff during the consultation process, and to ensure we maintain high quality, safe standards of care for patients.
The Trust continues to monitor the ongoing impact of the temporary changes and will continue to make every effort to address the staffing challenges we face.
A summary of consultee feedback and the Trust’s response to the feedback can be found in the consultation feedback report available on the link below:
Link to Consultation Feedback Report
The Trust wishes to extend its thanks and appreciation to all those individuals, elected representatives, groups and organisations who responded to the consultation process.
If you have any queries please contact the Trust on 028 9055 0434 or email consultation@setrust.hscni.net.