Campaigners warned that removing emergency general surgery (EGS) from Causeway Hospital would set off a "domino effect" of subsequent service withdrawals, after more than 200 residents attended a public meeting in Coleraine to press politicians and health officials to keep acute surgical care at the north‑west site.
Public opposition and campaigners’ concerns
The meeting, held at Coleraine Town Hall, was organised by the SoS Causeway Hospital group. Attendees expressed strong opposition to a Northern Health Trust recommendation to provide EGS at a single site — Antrim Area Hospital — while maintaining elective surgery and diagnostics at Causeway.
"When emergency surgery goes, other dominoes fall following that," said Gemma Brolly, deputy leader of Aontú and a member of the campaign group.
Speakers at the meeting argued that without on‑site emergency surgery, Causeway would be less attractive to clinicians and to the investment needed to support proposed diagnostic and elective surgery developments. Campaigners have vowed to continue pressing health authorities and the health minister to reconsider the plan.
Health trust rationale and next steps
The Northern Health Trust says the proposal is intended to create a safe, stable and sustainable model of care. A trust spokesperson said their recommendation followed a 14‑week public consultation and was made because the current two‑site model for emergency general surgery is becoming increasingly unsustainable.
"Our preference is for a planned and managed change to avoid potential service collapse," the spokesperson said, adding that the trust wishes to develop Causeway Hospital as an elective and diagnostic hub for the north‑west area, with a 24/7 emergency department remaining on site.
What is at stake
Campaigners and some clinicians at the meeting warned that moving EGS could have cascading effects on hospital services and staffing. Points raised by speakers included:
- Concerns that clinicians will be reluctant to work at a site without emergency surgical services, undermining elective and diagnostic ambitions.
- Fears that losing emergency surgery could lead to further downgrades in services over time.
- Calls for ministers and health officials to listen to public concerns and pursue alternatives that preserve local acute care.
Decision still pending
The trust’s recommendation would not be final until it receives sign‑off from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt. Until then, Causeway Hospital would continue to operate as an acute hospital with a 24‑hour emergency department, according to the trust.
| Item | Figure / detail |
|---|---|
| Public meeting attendance | More than 200 people |
| Consultation length | 14 weeks |
| Current status | Recommendation pending ministerial sign‑off |
At the meeting, individuals related personal experiences of travelling for care and raised concerns about the impact on pregnant women and others needing urgent surgical care. Some attendees said past negative experiences at the alternative site had amplified local anxiety about the proposed changes.
The trust maintains that elective operations would continue at Causeway and that the intention is to protect overall service delivery by consolidating emergency general surgery. Its public statement framed the proposal as a measured response to growing pressure on staffing and service sustainability under the existing two‑site model.
For residents, clinicians and local leaders, the debate now turns to whether a reconfigured service will preserve access and quality of care in the north‑west, or whether the loss of emergency surgery will trigger the further downgrades campaigners fear. The final decision awaits ministerial approval.
This report is based on accounts from the public meeting and statements released by the Northern Health Trust. No additional data or sources were used.
