Campaigners have warned that removing emergency general surgery (EGS) from Causeway Hospital could trigger a "domino effect," leading to the withdrawal of other services. Over 200 people gathered at Coleraine Town Hall to protest the proposed move of EGS to Antrim Area Hospital and urged the health minister to reject the plans.
Gemma Brolly, representing the SoS Causeway Hospital group and serving as deputy leader of Aontú, stated that the strong turnout demonstrated the community's opposition. She emphasized that the relocation of emergency surgery would likely deter investment in other planned services, such as a diagnostic and elective surgery hub.
"When emergency surgery goes, other dominoes fall following that," Brolly said during the meeting. "Nobody will want to be invested in that if they don't have emergency surgery on site as well." She added that campaigners would continue their fight to keep EGS at Causeway Hospital, sending a message that "it's time to start listening and it's time to turn things around because we're not going anywhere."
The Northern Health Trust has stated that the decision to move the service is intended to ensure a safe, stable, and sustainable service. The Trust affirmed that Causeway Hospital would continue to operate as an acute hospital with a 24/7 emergency department.