Coleraine: No more births to take place at Causeway Hospital
BBC By Aileen Moynagh
BBC News NI
Births will no longer take place at Causeway Hospital in Coleraine, County Londonderry, following a decision by the Department of Health (DoH).
The DoH permanent secretary approved the move to consolidate maternity services at Antrim Area Hospital.
The Northern Trust had recommended that all births in the area should permanently move to the Antrim site.
Antenatal and postnatal clinics will be retained and enhanced at Causeway Hospital, the department said.
Permanent Secretary Peter May said the decision was made to ensure safe, consistent and sustainable care for mothers and babies in the trust area.
The recommendation was made by the Northern Trust board following a 14-week public consultation.
The trust has said birth numbers in the Causeway Coast and Glens Council area have declined year-on-year.
It expect birth rates to fall in the area by 11% within the next 20 years.
The trust had said maternity services in the area were "vulnerable and unsustainable".
