Margaret Ritchie, SDLP Assembly Member for South Down, has expressed her concern over the midwifery-led unit in the Down Hopsital.

Miss Ritchie said, “I am concerned over alleged reports that the numbers of midwifes training through university is not enough to offset the numbers retiring. It has been suggested that this may have implications for the new Downe Hospital unit which is due to open in the Autumn.

It is important that this state of the art facility has the necessary resources to open in time, and most importantly, to cater for local mothers and families with low risk pregnancies.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety must ensure that there is adequate staff employed in this Unit to cope with the demands of the service. I have made direct and immediate representations to the Minister to ensure that appropriate reserves of midwifes are made available to the Downe.”

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