Hospital staff‘demoralised’ as uncertainty over A&E continues

John Gilgunn and Marion Ritchie, Co-Secretaries of the Down Lisburn branch of Unison, the union representing many of the staff affected by the reduction in hours at the A&E, said a lack of communication by the South Eastern Trust has led to confusion and mounting distrust amongst the staff.

“Things are very up in the air and change daily,” said Mr Gilgunn. “Staff are very uneasy, particularly because there was no warning, the first we heard about it was when we saw it on the news.

“A lack of communication creates distrust,” continued Ms Ritchie. “These are loyal staff who have worked for years in the hospital and to be treated in that way is disrespectful. There is a little more communication now but there is very little being passed on. The staff have no idea what is happening after September 1.”

Mr Gilgunn insisted that Unison would be focusing on securing the re-instatement of 24/7 opening hours at the Lagan Valley Hospital and that the union would be using an upcoming national ballot of members on budget cuts to highlight the situation at the Lagan Valley,

“Our aim is to win a 24 hour A&E because that’s what the people want,” he said.

“We know a working group has been set up by management regarding the way forward for the Lagan Valley but there has been no consultation with staff or the union. Nothing is going to be a success without the staff on board.

“We believe the Trust are trying to recruit junior doctors but at the moment staff at the hospital are feeling very demoralised,” he added.