A mother whose son regularly needs life-saving treatment started a court action yesterday to stop the closure of the accident and emergency department at the South Tyrone Hospital.
Mrs Brenda McHugh, from Mourne Beg Drive, Dungannon, is seeking a judicial review in Belfast High Court of the decision to temporarily close the department next Tuesday, due to severe staffing problems.
In a sworn affidavit, Mrs McHugh said that when her son Conor (8) was born prematurely he was seriously ill, and now required regular hospital visits. She said her son had always received immediate care at the South Tyrone which was five minutes from her home.
The judge said he would review the case on Tuesday.