The call for a 15 acre park on the Albert Basin got a major injection of support this week when local GPs and staff rallied round the campaign.

Some of the Newry G.P.'s supporting the development of a 15 Acre Albert Basin Park. From left: Dr Michael McKnight, Clanrye Surgery; Dr Derval O'Reilly, Cornmarket Surgery; Dr Shirley Forshaw, Clanrye Surgery; Dr Richard Flood, Cornmarket Surgery; Dr Arnie McDowell, Clanrye Surgery; Dr Michael Fearon, Clanrye Medical Practice; Dr Ann Delargy, Banbridge Surgery (Newry resident) and Dr Patrick McKinley, Cornmarket Surgery.
Some of the Newry G.P.'s supporting the development of a 15 Acre Albert Basin Park. From left: Dr Michael McKnight, Clanrye Surgery; Dr Derval O'Reilly, Cornmarket Surgery; Dr Shirley Forshaw, Clanrye Surgery; Dr Richard Flood, Cornmarket Surgery; Dr Arnie McDowell, Clanrye Surgery; Dr Michael Fearon, Clanrye Medical Practice; Dr Ann Delargy, Banbridge Surgery (Newry resident) and Dr Patrick McKinley, Cornmarket Surgery.

Eight local medical practices have come together to endorse the call for high quality green space on this unique site. In a statement, the medics stressed the importance of the project to the health of the community. 

Medical staff: Philomena Mc Elroy, Caroline Dowdall, Elaine Devlin and Regina Rea (practice receptionists), Sharon Liggett( practice manager), Maria Kearns(practice nurse), Carmel Comaskey (treatment room nurse), Aideen Mcginn (practice nurse) Front row: Christina Martin, Ber Harty and Annemarie Fitzmaurice( practice nurses).
Medical staff: Philomena Mc Elroy, Caroline Dowdall, Elaine Devlin and Regina Rea (practice receptionists), Sharon Liggett (practice manager), Maria Kearns (practice nurse), Carmel Comaskey (treatment room nurse), Aideen Mcginn (practice nurse) Front row: Christina Martin, Ber Harty and Annemarie Fitzmaurice (practice nurses).

Dr Arnie McDowell said that a proper park in Newry was long overdue: "It's well established that access to high quality green space leads to reduced levels of obesity and cardiovascular disease, as well as being linked to lower rates of depression and other mental health issues. As medical professionals we are all too aware of the problems created by an unhealthy environment."

Dr Shirley Forshaw added: "GP practices are currently under enormous pressure - many are describing it as a crisis. Decision-makers should be doing everything they can to alleviate this pressure by supporting healthy local communities. Creating a proper city park would be a major contribution to the wellbeing of Newry people."

Brian Cleland, chair of Newry 2020, welcomed the GP's statement, saying: "It's fantastic to get this endorsement from the medical community. It really drives home just how important this issue is. We're calling on all our elected representatives to prioritise the health of local people, to join the GPs and dozens of other organisations and seize the only opportunity we'll have to build a proper park for Newry."