Menu
27/07/2017
Beds Closed At Altnagelvin Area Hospital Amid Bug Outbreak
All non-urgent routine procedures have been cancelled at Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Londonderry in an effort to stop the spread of a vomiting bug.
The Western Health Trust said that approximately 25 beds at the hospital are to be "temporarily closed" at the hospital, also citing staff shortages and a "number of ongoing challenges".
It is understood that up to six wards at the hospital have seen an increase in instances of vomiting and diarrhoea.
A number of infection prevention and control measure have been implemented at the hospital.
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said: "This latest ward closure and the cancellation of many patients' appointments at Altnagelvin have come as the combination of a number of factors, some of which are beyond the control of the Trust or Department but others which are recurrent.
"Patient safety is paramount and therefore it is vital that all possible steps are taken to ensure infection control. I would urge people to heed the Trust's advice in this regard.
"However, issues around workforce numbers are sadly symptomatic of major historic ongoing faults in workforce planning. We have an insufficient number of qualified staff and those that we do have are overstretched. This problem is only going to become more pronounced in the future unless action is taken now.
"Delays in patient discharges are often due to a lack of suitable home care packages to support discharged patients. This is an area in dire need of urgent and major investment.
"Patients and staff cannot afford to be let down by a failure to bring about transformation of our healthcare system but the current political stagnation is failing them miserably."
(MH/LM)
The Western Health Trust said that approximately 25 beds at the hospital are to be "temporarily closed" at the hospital, also citing staff shortages and a "number of ongoing challenges".
It is understood that up to six wards at the hospital have seen an increase in instances of vomiting and diarrhoea.
A number of infection prevention and control measure have been implemented at the hospital.
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said: "This latest ward closure and the cancellation of many patients' appointments at Altnagelvin have come as the combination of a number of factors, some of which are beyond the control of the Trust or Department but others which are recurrent.
"Patient safety is paramount and therefore it is vital that all possible steps are taken to ensure infection control. I would urge people to heed the Trust's advice in this regard.
"However, issues around workforce numbers are sadly symptomatic of major historic ongoing faults in workforce planning. We have an insufficient number of qualified staff and those that we do have are overstretched. This problem is only going to become more pronounced in the future unless action is taken now.
"Delays in patient discharges are often due to a lack of suitable home care packages to support discharged patients. This is an area in dire need of urgent and major investment.
"Patients and staff cannot afford to be let down by a failure to bring about transformation of our healthcare system but the current political stagnation is failing them miserably."
(MH/LM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 July 2011
Belfast Hospitals 'Bugged'
Hospital hygiene is again in focus this week as a number of cases of the clostridium difficile (c.diff) bacterium have been identified in the South Eastern Trust area and a second case of tuberculosis has been confirmed at Belfast City Hospital.
Belfast Hospitals 'Bugged'
Hospital hygiene is again in focus this week as a number of cases of the clostridium difficile (c.diff) bacterium have been identified in the South Eastern Trust area and a second case of tuberculosis has been confirmed at Belfast City Hospital.
15 June 2012
Poots Putting Brakes On Causeway Hospital Announcement - Dallat
SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat has spoken of his dismay that an expected announcement on the future of the Causeway Hospital A & E Department, which was due to be made public at a meeting of the Northern Health Trust next Friday, has effectively been shelved on the instructions of the Health Minister Edwin Poots.
Poots Putting Brakes On Causeway Hospital Announcement - Dallat
SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat has spoken of his dismay that an expected announcement on the future of the Causeway Hospital A & E Department, which was due to be made public at a meeting of the Northern Health Trust next Friday, has effectively been shelved on the instructions of the Health Minister Edwin Poots.
02 September 2004
Hospital waiting lists continue to fall
Northern Ireland's hospital waiting lists have fallen, according to figures released today. The number of people waiting for inpatient or daycase treatment has decreased by 4,439 to 50,975, compared with the same quarter last year.
Hospital waiting lists continue to fall
Northern Ireland's hospital waiting lists have fallen, according to figures released today. The number of people waiting for inpatient or daycase treatment has decreased by 4,439 to 50,975, compared with the same quarter last year.
04 October 2024
Health Minister Encourages Use Of My Care Patient Portal
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt is urging people to sign up for the My Care patient portal, which provides access to digital medical records. The My Care portal allows patients and service users to view their healthcare information through an app or web browser on their digital devices.
Health Minister Encourages Use Of My Care Patient Portal
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt is urging people to sign up for the My Care patient portal, which provides access to digital medical records. The My Care portal allows patients and service users to view their healthcare information through an app or web browser on their digital devices.
04 November 2019
Free Classes Launched To Combat Stress
As Stress Awareness Week gets underway, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is running a series of workshops and control classes for those feeling under pressure.
Free Classes Launched To Combat Stress
As Stress Awareness Week gets underway, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is running a series of workshops and control classes for those feeling under pressure.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Any rain along the north coast soon clearing north to give a dry evening. Further rain will move south and east in the early hours, occasionally heavy. Remaining mild. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
