As winter starts to bite and hospitals begin to experience heavy workloads, South Down MP Margaret Ritchie, has urged the Minister for Health and the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust to make use of the excellent Accident and Emergency Services in the Downe Hospital, following “pressures” at the Ulster Hospital.
[caption id="attachment_60522" align="alignleft" width="390"]
The Ulster Hospital in Dundonald under pressure in its A&E department.[/caption]Ms Ritchie said: “Recent reports detailed that outpatient clinics were cancelled at the Ulster, and an ambulance divert was placed on the hospital to cope with ‘unprecedented pressures’.
She said: “The Trust should use this time to allow more medical services to be carried out by the Accident and Emergency Department in the Downe Hospital. The A&E Department has the capability, the technology and most importantly the expertise to provide an increase in services.
“At the time of the removal of consultant led A&E at the Downe Hospital for weekends and evenings, I warned the Trust additional pressures would be placed on the already over-burdened hospitals in Belfast. This has led previously to lengthening trolley waits, and unacceptable pressures on already over stretched medical and nursing staff.
“Sadly, very recent demands have become apparent that the Ulster Hospital cannot cope with continuing pressures on the A&E Department.
“Facilities at the Downe Hospital are first class and lend themselves to a high standard of staff development and patient care. It is very clear with the pressures facing the Ulster A&E, undoubtedly a knock-on effect from the closure of the City Hospital’s Accident and Emergency a number of years ago, facilities and services at the Downe Hopsital must be fully utilized.
“The Trust now need to work with the Department of Health to reinstate full consultant A and E-led services at the Downe hospital for the interests, safety and health of patients, staff and the general public,” said Ms Ritchie.
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