27/08/2010
A&E Waiting Times Falling
Figures released today from the Department of Health have shown a continued improvement in emergency care waiting times in Northern Ireland.
Validated figures for emergency care waiting times for July 2010 showed that 86.3% patients were either treated and discharged or admitted within four hours of their arrival in an Emergency Care Department.
This represents an improvement, compared to 85.6% in June 2010 and 82.8% in May 2010.
The figures also show a further drop in the number of patients who waited longer than 12 hours across all Emergency Care Departments.
A total of 126 patients waited longer than 12 hours across all emergency care departments in July 2010, compared to 209 in June 2010 and 661 in May 2010.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety said: "This continued improvement is encouraging and healthcare staff are to be commended for their hard work in delivering high quality services to patients and the public.
"However, limited resources continue to pose a significant challenge and the Minister has continually stated his commitment to pressing for much needed additional funding to invest in our health service to meet rising demand.
"Trusts are expected to continue their efforts to ensure that available resources are used as effectively and efficiently as possible in the drive to improve waiting times."
To help ensure continued improvement in waiting times, the spokesperson again stressed the importance of patients availing of the most appropriate service in an emergency situation.
He said: "Cuts, bruises and sprains are generally regarded as minor injuries and are not normally considered to be emergencies.
"Minor injuries services are now widely available across Northern Ireland with units at the Tyrone County, Mid Ulster, Whiteabbey, South Tyrone, Armagh, Ards and Bangor hospitals and the medical staff who work in these units are able to deal with the vast majority of conditions seen in A&E departments."
(BMcC/GK)
Validated figures for emergency care waiting times for July 2010 showed that 86.3% patients were either treated and discharged or admitted within four hours of their arrival in an Emergency Care Department.
This represents an improvement, compared to 85.6% in June 2010 and 82.8% in May 2010.
The figures also show a further drop in the number of patients who waited longer than 12 hours across all Emergency Care Departments.
A total of 126 patients waited longer than 12 hours across all emergency care departments in July 2010, compared to 209 in June 2010 and 661 in May 2010.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety said: "This continued improvement is encouraging and healthcare staff are to be commended for their hard work in delivering high quality services to patients and the public.
"However, limited resources continue to pose a significant challenge and the Minister has continually stated his commitment to pressing for much needed additional funding to invest in our health service to meet rising demand.
"Trusts are expected to continue their efforts to ensure that available resources are used as effectively and efficiently as possible in the drive to improve waiting times."
To help ensure continued improvement in waiting times, the spokesperson again stressed the importance of patients availing of the most appropriate service in an emergency situation.
He said: "Cuts, bruises and sprains are generally regarded as minor injuries and are not normally considered to be emergencies.
"Minor injuries services are now widely available across Northern Ireland with units at the Tyrone County, Mid Ulster, Whiteabbey, South Tyrone, Armagh, Ards and Bangor hospitals and the medical staff who work in these units are able to deal with the vast majority of conditions seen in A&E departments."
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 August 2010
Casualty Response Figures Improve
Accident & Emergency response times have been improving across Northern Ireland. Figures just released from the Department of Health have shown a significant improvement in emergency care waiting times in Northern Ireland. Validated figures for emergency care waiting times for June 2010 showed that 85.
Casualty Response Figures Improve
Accident & Emergency response times have been improving across Northern Ireland. Figures just released from the Department of Health have shown a significant improvement in emergency care waiting times in Northern Ireland. Validated figures for emergency care waiting times for June 2010 showed that 85.
28 May 2021
Call For Urgent Meeting To Address Waiting List Crisis
The SDLP is calling for an urgent meeting with the Finance and Health Ministers after further details of the extent of the waiting list crisis have been published. MLAs Cara Hunter and Matthew O'Toole said that this is the biggest crisis facing people in Northern Ireland and it must be the most urgent priority for political leaders.
Call For Urgent Meeting To Address Waiting List Crisis
The SDLP is calling for an urgent meeting with the Finance and Health Ministers after further details of the extent of the waiting list crisis have been published. MLAs Cara Hunter and Matthew O'Toole said that this is the biggest crisis facing people in Northern Ireland and it must be the most urgent priority for political leaders.
02 September 2005
Outpatient hospital waiting list figures rise
The number of people waiting for a first outpatient appointment has increased in the last three months by almost 6%. The figures published by the Department of Health revealed that the number of patients waiting for an initial outpatient consultation had risen by 9,385 to 176,523, an increase of 5.6% on the previous quarter.
Outpatient hospital waiting list figures rise
The number of people waiting for a first outpatient appointment has increased in the last three months by almost 6%. The figures published by the Department of Health revealed that the number of patients waiting for an initial outpatient consultation had risen by 9,385 to 176,523, an increase of 5.6% on the previous quarter.
02 April 2003
Rise in transplant waiting list sparks donor appeal
The latest figures from the office of the Transplant Co-ordinator in Belfast City Hospital have revealed that the number of people in the province awaiting organ transplants has risen. Some 240 people are currently waiting for major organ transplants such as heart, kidney, liver or lungs - an increase of almost 60 people on this time last year.
Rise in transplant waiting list sparks donor appeal
The latest figures from the office of the Transplant Co-ordinator in Belfast City Hospital have revealed that the number of people in the province awaiting organ transplants has risen. Some 240 people are currently waiting for major organ transplants such as heart, kidney, liver or lungs - an increase of almost 60 people on this time last year.
23 April 2010
Accident & Emergency Target Most Serious
NI people with less serious conditions are being told to stay away from hospital casualty units. The Stormont Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has said that the increasing demand for health and social care services was placing significant pressures on the system.
Accident & Emergency Target Most Serious
NI people with less serious conditions are being told to stay away from hospital casualty units. The Stormont Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has said that the increasing demand for health and social care services was placing significant pressures on the system.