Jim Allister, the MP for North Antrim, has reached out to the Health Minister, urging him to reject the Northern Trust’s proposal to eliminate emergency general surgery services at Causeway Hospital.
The Trust intends to centralise emergency general surgery and major colorectal surgery at Antrim Area Hospital, while elective surgeries will continue at Causeway. A public meeting held last week at Coleraine Town Hall attracted significant interest, with many attendees required to stand due to the overwhelming turnout and strong sentiments expressed.
In his correspondence to the minister, Mr Allister remarked:
“Last week’s public meeting, which I attended alongside hundreds of others, clearly showcased the passionate opposition to the plans. This sentiment was echoed in the results of a public consultation conducted by the Trust, which revealed that a vast majority of respondents disagreed with the proposal. For instance, out of 1,415 responses, 1,362 indicated they did not agree with the option to centralise emergency general surgery at Antrim, while 1,347 opposed the rationale for change.
“Despite the overwhelming resistance to its plans, the Trust’s report on its consultation indicates a determination to advocate for the change.
“Removing such a vital service from this region of Northern Ireland carries unconscionable implications. The additional time required to transport critically ill patients needing immediate surgery to Antrim, rather than Causeway, could prove to be the difference between life and death. Moreover, how will the already overstretched Antrim Hospital manage the increased workload?”
The TUV leader has called for the Trust to disclose the data upon which its decision was based.
He added:
“Following the recommendation to relocate emergency general surgery from Causeway Hospital to Antrim Area Hospital, which was approved at a Trust Board meeting in May 2025, the previous chief executive, Jennifer Welsh, asserted that the new model was founded on evidence, data, and meticulous work.
“The Trust’s consultation report claims, ‘Our options appraisal was informed by data.’ However, these data, evidence, and the methodologies employed have yet to be disclosed.
“Without access to this data, it remains unclear whether the implications of the plans have been thoroughly examined. One particularly alarming example from the Trust’s consultation report is concerning. In one section, it states, ‘There will be a consultant surgeon on site Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, dedicated to supporting Causeway Emergency Department, the Surgical Ambulatory Unit, and the inpatient wards.’ In another section, it asserts, ‘Causeway will still have a fully staffed Emergency Department, with a senior surgeon on site 24/7 to respond to any patients presenting in the Emergency Department.’
“These two statements are clearly contradictory.”
He concluded:
“I therefore urge you to reject the Trust’s proposal and commit to preserving this critical service—the lives of many may well depend upon it.”