"At a time when GP services are under extreme pressure and struggling to maintain this service, curtailing of a complimentary service locally will compound this problem. We need to see investment in both Bangor & Ards hospitals to improve minor injuries, not the over-reliance on services provided at the Ulster Hospital.

A flawed and exclusionary consultation process like the one entered into by the South Eastern Trust will only increase the scepticism held by the residents around the intentions and outcomes of this change to health services in the Borough. 

With health service workers already under paid and under resourced, the South Eastern Trust must think of the potential damage to worker-employer relations that could come as a result of moving this service out of Ards Community Hospital. Increasing the strain on the health service workers will only force more to seek employment outside the NHS."

ENDS