Three Outpatient clinics were cancelled at the Ulster Hospital today (Tuesday 8 December) to free staff to cope with unprecedented pressures. Some further Outpatient clinics have been cancelled for Wednesday and Thursday.
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The Ulster Hospital in Dundonald – currently experiencing demand pressures in the Emergency Department.[/caption]
A spokesperson for the South eastern Health and Social care Trust said: “Due to the large number of people attending the Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital, the Department remains under extreme pressure.
“We have taken steps to create additional capacity in the hospital to ensure that patients will be admitted as quickly as possible. As well as cancelling some clinics, we have also increased diagnostic services to speed up the patient journey.
“We acknowledge the support of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and colleagues in Belfast HSC Trust in arranging an ambulance divert for several hours today, and also our staff who continue to deliver excellent care in the face of significant pressure.
“We would also urge the public to consider other options of care while the Ulster Hospital Emergency Department remains so busy.”
Hamilton Focuses On Preparing For Winter Pressures
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Health Minister Simon Hamilton.[/caption]
Health Minister Simon Hamilton has met with the Chief Executives of the five Health and Social Care Trusts and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to discuss their plans to deal with the expected pressures on unscheduled care services over the winter months.
Speaking afterwards the Minister said: “Over recent weeks I have set out my vision for the reform of the health and social care system to help improve the quality of care, enhance patient safety, remove bureaucracy and strengthen accountability.
“On 18 November I announced that I had secured a further £4million for winter pressures. To ensure this funding translates as quickly as possible into additional services for patients, I am allocating the majority of this funding to Trusts. I am giving Trusts the operational independence to decide how best to use this funding to deliver unscheduled care services most effectively during the winter months, enabling them to respond quickly to changes in demand.”
He added: “In the context of this further additional funding, and consistent with my intention to make Trusts more independent and accountable for service delivery, I expect Trusts to work together in the interests of patients – with the full involvement of their senior clinical staff – and take all appropriate measures to eliminate avoidable 12-hour waits for patients and make progress towards the four hour waiting time target this winter.
“I also expect that Trusts ensure that in managing the demands of urgent care this winter they continue to deliver on planned surgery and specialist treatment and minimise any associated delays. I am not satisfied that this balance was achieved last winter, and have set out my expectations for this winter.”]]>
