Lagan Valley Hospital has made some changes to how they manage patients through the Emergency Department System.
From Monday 18 October 2021, the South Eastern HSC Trust is introducing a ‘Phone First’ Service at the Lagan Valley Hospital Emergency Department. The operational hours will change from 8am – 8pm Monday – Friday to 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday. The number to call is (028) 9260 4643.
A Trust spokesperson said that “an eight week public consultation will also begin soon to consider the views of the community we serve.
“This emergency change to opening hours, which will be regularly reviewed, is due to the extreme challenges being faced at present. The most significant of these challenges is a shortage of suitably qualified emergency medicine doctors, which the Trust is actively trying to recruit, alongside severe pressures presented by the ongoing impact of COVID-19.
“The ‘Phone First’ system has been implemented across the Region and is already operating successfully in both the Urgent Care Centre at the Downe Hospital and at Ards Minor Injury Unit. Crucially, this service will ensure patients, who will be assessed by a senior clinician over the phone, receive the right care, first time.
“Currently, an average of 12 patients attend the Emergency Department at Lagan Valley Hospital daily between 6pm and 8pm. We anticipate that 90% of all those who phone will continue to be seen in Lagan Valley or given appropriate clinical advice over the telephone. For the remaining 10%, where it is not appropriate to attend Lagan Valley, they will be directed to their local Pharmacy, GP or to a more appropriate Acute Hospital Emergency Department.
“This service will ensure the safety of our patients by reducing the number who require transfer to an alternative Hospital for care, thereby reducing delays in patient care.”
In cases of serious emergency, such as life-threatening conditions including chest pain, symptoms of stroke or serious head injury, patients should continue to phone 999 immediately.
The Trust spokesperson added: “The majority of our staff understand and support the need for this change.
“The Trust remains committed to the Lagan Valley Hospital which is playing a pivotal role during the pandemic. Indeed the hospital is leading the way with the first dedicated Regional Day Procedure Centre, which is allowing some vital planned surgeries to take place.
“In the coming months the new Primary and Community Care Centre will open at Lagan Valley Hospital bringing together a full range of GP, community care and hospital services on the same site.
“We would like to thank the public, our partner organisations and elected and community representatives for their continued understanding and for the support offered to our dedicated and committed staff as they continue to work tirelessly in protecting and caring for our community.”
