25/02/2014
Additional Staff Called In To RVH
The Belfast Health Trust has confirmed that some of Northern Ireland's emergency departments have been under pressure within the last 24 hours.
One of those hospitals affected was the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) in the city.
It is understood additional staff were brought into the emergency department on Monday to help deal with the number of people needing treatment.
The move comes just weeks after a "major incident" was declared at the RVH when a large backlog of patients led to many people facing lengthy waits to receive treatment. At one stage, more than 40 people were waiting on trolleys.
In relation to Monday's incident, the Belfast Health Trust released a statement saying that it had initiated "escalation plans", but had not declared it a major incident.
It added that the emergency departments at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald and the Antrim Area Hospital has been very busy with the number of patients needing treatment.
Sinn Féin MLA Maeve McLaughlin, who is also the chair of the Health Committee, said the initiation of an "escalation measure" by staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital demonstrated the pressure that existed within the health system.
She said: "For the past 18 months we have stated that the current situation is symptomatic of the overall downgrading of A&E's across our hospitals and the need to address not just the closure of A&E departments but also where these departments feed to within our hospitals.
"The review that the minister has announced must be fast tracked. In the interim he must introduce measures to ensure we do not have a major incident called again in the coming weeks."
(JP/CD)
One of those hospitals affected was the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) in the city.
It is understood additional staff were brought into the emergency department on Monday to help deal with the number of people needing treatment.
The move comes just weeks after a "major incident" was declared at the RVH when a large backlog of patients led to many people facing lengthy waits to receive treatment. At one stage, more than 40 people were waiting on trolleys.
In relation to Monday's incident, the Belfast Health Trust released a statement saying that it had initiated "escalation plans", but had not declared it a major incident.
It added that the emergency departments at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald and the Antrim Area Hospital has been very busy with the number of patients needing treatment.
Sinn Féin MLA Maeve McLaughlin, who is also the chair of the Health Committee, said the initiation of an "escalation measure" by staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital demonstrated the pressure that existed within the health system.
She said: "For the past 18 months we have stated that the current situation is symptomatic of the overall downgrading of A&E's across our hospitals and the need to address not just the closure of A&E departments but also where these departments feed to within our hospitals.
"The review that the minister has announced must be fast tracked. In the interim he must introduce measures to ensure we do not have a major incident called again in the coming weeks."
(JP/CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 November 2024
SF Calls For Action On NI Mental Health Services
Sinn Féin has called for more to be done to improve mental health services across the north of Ireland. The party's mental health spokesperson, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, made the call after the release of the Registrar General's 2023 Annual Report which has highlighted an increase in deaths by suicide in 2023.
SF Calls For Action On NI Mental Health Services
Sinn Féin has called for more to be done to improve mental health services across the north of Ireland. The party's mental health spokesperson, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, made the call after the release of the Registrar General's 2023 Annual Report which has highlighted an increase in deaths by suicide in 2023.
20 July 2018
Rise In Number Of People Waiting Over 12hrs In Emergency Departments
The number of people waiting over 12 hours in emergency departments in hospitals throughout Northern Ireland has increased by over 360% in the last year, according to new figures. The data, published by the Department of Health, compared waiting times from April to June 2017 and April to June 2018.
Rise In Number Of People Waiting Over 12hrs In Emergency Departments
The number of people waiting over 12 hours in emergency departments in hospitals throughout Northern Ireland has increased by over 360% in the last year, according to new figures. The data, published by the Department of Health, compared waiting times from April to June 2017 and April to June 2018.
29 September 2021
£8.7m Boost For Mental Health Services
Charitable and community mental health services are set to benefit from a new £8.7 million support grant, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced.
£8.7m Boost For Mental Health Services
Charitable and community mental health services are set to benefit from a new £8.7 million support grant, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced.
26 June 2015
A&E Waiting Times Continue To Deteriorate
Only 73.8% of people attending Accident & Emergency departments were treated and discharged, or admitted within 4 hours of their arrival during 2014/15 despite the target being 95%, according to the latest A&E waiting times.
A&E Waiting Times Continue To Deteriorate
Only 73.8% of people attending Accident & Emergency departments were treated and discharged, or admitted within 4 hours of their arrival during 2014/15 despite the target being 95%, according to the latest A&E waiting times.
25 October 2024
Health Minister Unveils New Initiative To Tackle Health Inequalities
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the launch of Live Better, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing health inequalities in Northern Ireland. The program will initially focus on neighbourhoods in Belfast and L'Derry, with plans to expand to other communities if successful.
Health Minister Unveils New Initiative To Tackle Health Inequalities
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the launch of Live Better, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing health inequalities in Northern Ireland. The program will initially focus on neighbourhoods in Belfast and L'Derry, with plans to expand to other communities if successful.