‘SAVE THE DAL’ FIGHT CONTINUES

That was the rallying call of chairman of Moyle District Council, Cllr Donal Cunningham, as he urged the public to turn up in large numbers to a public meeting on the future of the Dalriada Hospital this Saturday (March 7th).

The public meeting in the Marine Hotel in Ballycastle begins at 2pm and will kick off with a campaign update followed by feedback from Moyle Council’s recent meeting with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.

There will also be a presentation on Multiple Sclerosis respite from a carer’s perspective.

The guest speaker for the public meeting will be Dr Gavin McDonnell, a consultant neurologist who is a specialist in Multiple Sclerosis. He will deliver a talk on the importance of respite for MS patients and patients with other neurological conditions.

Cllr Donal Cunningham told the Times: “There is still uncertainty about the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s budget for 2015/16. They are still going to be asked to make savings.

“Our job is to ensure that the Dalriada Hospital continues to deliver its services - and extends its range of services - in an efficient way so that the Dal is part of the solution, not part of the problem.

“It’s vitally important that we don’t take our eye off with ball when it comes to the Dalriada Hospital or we could end up in the same situation that we were in.

“Moyle District Council has employed a consultant to make the case for the Dal and to make the case that we can also provide enhances services.

“It is still important that everyone gives the Dal campaign their attention,” he concluded.