SDLP members from Down District Council boycotted the official opening of a new hospital in Downpatrick and opted instead to protest outside the facility.

NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey officially opened the £64m Downe hospital yesterday (Thursday). The hospital opened its doors to patients in June 2009.

Local SDLP health spokesperson, Colin McGrath, said: "Many generations of people from our area have worked hard to deliver a new acute hospital here in Down District and it should be a day of celebration.

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"But this has been ruined by the South East Trust, which, in the face of three per cent efficiency savings, has proposed to reduce the bed places in the facility by over 20 per cent.

"It is a sad day for our area to receive such a massive cut to facilities but I feel that the Trust is not being upfront or helpful about this."

Councillor McGrath continued: "Two weeks ago they implemented a consultation process to remove psychiatric services to the Lagan Valley Hospital and propose a reduction in our A & E provision – downgrading it from a 24 hour facility.

"There appears to be a new onslaught from the Trust and this is not fair on the hard working staff, patients in the hospital or people of the Down and Mourne area

“We must know why a life in Down District is less deserving than one in North Down or Lisburn?"

(NS/GK)