Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
‘CARE VILLAGE’ TO EASE XMAS CASUALTY CRISIS
Union: Service is blindfolded before winter
HEALTH bosses are planning an extra “emergency care village” to avert a Christmas crisis, it has been revealed.
The temporary facility will be created on the second floor of the Royal Victoria Hospital to cater for an anticipated spike in emergencies.
It is understood staff have been informed they will be required to work across the extended service within the critical care building.
Despite the move, a senior union official has warned the health service is “walking into the winter blindfolded”.
Unite’s Kevin Mcadam claimed ward
GPS have warned “serious” pressures will affect their ability to work this winter.
A survey of Royal College of General Practitioners NI members revealed 89% have concerns.
Patient Group Chair Karen Mooney said: “Despite the pressures we can rely on GPS for support and treatment when we need it. They work very hard in challenging closures were putting additional pressure on accident and emergency units.
Kevin warned: “We are walking into the next winter crisis without having cleared last year’s crisis.
“We are still dealing with flu problems that went into last May and June. We welcome the fact the Trust is making every effort to improve the number of beds that can be available.
“We know there is desperate shortage of nurses and the A&E system is under resourced. We are walking into the winter blindfolded.”
North Belfast SDLP councillor Paul Mccusker said the need for an emergency village highlighted the ongoing pressure in the RVH and Mater A&ES.
He said: “I fear this will have a knockon effect on other services and add additional pressure on medical staff.
“Belfast Trust must ensure no other services or wards will be affected at what is a challenging time for the service.”
A spokesman for Belfast Health Trust said: “We aim to ensure seasonal demand will not compromise patient care”. reputable online resources such as the NI Direct Stay Well website? Can you seek advice from your community pharmacist? “We all have a responsibility to help protect our services and make sure the most vulnerable access the care they need.”