Causeway Hospital

Despite what you read in the paper the future of Causeway Hospital is not absolutely secure. If you feel strongly that it should be maintained as a major acute hospital with 24/7 A&E then please, print a copy, cut across where indicated and either: complete, sign and post this letter to Mr Poots at the address below, or

write your own letter of support to Mr Poots to arrive before 15 January.

This request is from CHC (Causeway Hospital Campaign) www.causewayhc.wordpress.com cut along this line-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name.. Address.. .. . Date.. Post to fao Mr Edwin Poots MLA TYC Programme Team Health & Social Care Board 12-22 Linenhall Street Belfast BT2 8BS Transforming your Care Dear Mr Poots, TYC has many good points and the principle of improving overall standard of health care by better access and increasing provision in the community should be supported. The delivery plans, however, are flawed because of shortage of trained staff in the community and the high expense. If the current system is dismantled before the proposed changes are in place, there will be an overall deterioration in health care. Causeway requires a full Major Acute Hospital to provide safe and effective care to the resident population and the large numbers on holiday and attending special events. Because of the geographic isolation this can not be provided by hospitals in Antrim. Belfast or Derry/Londonderry. Causeway Hospital must be kept open to continue to provide these services. Improved networking with other acute hospitals and GP/ community services would improve efficiency and effectiveness, and guarantee sustainability. This would be best achieved by formal links with the Western HSC Trust as there is already effective cooperation in place in orthopaedics, urology and eyes with Altnagelvin Hospital. Yours sincerely,