Public told to help free up hospital beds

CRAIGAVON Area Hospital has become the latest health facility to appeal for support in freeing up beds.

It was described as operating under extreme pressure last night, with 138 patients waiting in the emergency department and ambulances queued outside.

On Monday, the Ulster

Hospital outside Belfast was under pressure with 164 patients in the ED.

And the Western Trust said Altnagelvin Hospital, in Derry, was under extreme pressure.

On Sunday, the Belfast Health Trust appealed for available nursing staff to go to hospitals to help alleviate pressures.

And on Saturday night, Antrim Area Hospital had to close to new admissions due to pressures.

The Southern Trust said yesterday like other hospitals in Northern Ireland, Craigavon “continues to work under extreme pressure and far beyond the capacity that is available”.

A spokesman added: “Reduced access to domiciliary care packages and limited nursing or residential home places, makes it very challenging to meet the increasing demand for support at the point of discharge.

“However, it is vital that where possible, patients leave the hospital immediately when medically fit for discharge.

“Therefore, we are asking all patients and families to support our hospitals by freeing up beds required for very sick patients.”