A senior health official has issued an apology after patients at the emergency department of Craigavon Area Hospital faced average waits nearing 19 hours on Wednesday morning.
Average wait times reported at 09:00 GMT indicated that both the Royal Victoria and Ulster hospitals were experiencing waits of around nine hours.
Dr. Gareth Hampton, the divisional medical director at the Southern Trust, acknowledged the immense pressure staff face in prioritizing critically ill patients while managing those who have been waiting for extended periods. “We truly apologize to patients who have waited so long, but our staff are doing a tough job,” he stated.
This news follows reports that over 40 ambulances were delayed outside hospitals on Tuesday, with some waits exceeding 13 hours.
In an effort to alleviate winter healthcare strains, a target was set in October to reduce maximum ambulance waits outside EDs from four hours to two by December 1.
‘Serious pressures’ on emergency departments
During an interview on BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra, Dr. Hampton mentioned that a 19-hour wait is “not acceptable,” noting that delays were often due to waiting for beds to open up in wards. He remarked, “In recent years, our emergency departments have faced serious pressures.” He pointed out that during the winter months, respiratory issues like Covid and flu contribute additional strain, making it even more challenging for the healthcare system to cope.
Dr. Hampton expressed gratitude to the staff who have been working tirelessly, but emphasized that the situation isn’t limited to just Craigavon’s ED.
He recommended that younger, typically healthy individuals with flu-like symptoms should avoid going to EDs unless absolutely necessary and instead utilize services like Phone First.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) reported a significant rise in flu cases over the past two weeks, particularly among the youngest age group. Dr. Peter Naughton from the PHA indicated that this flu season started earlier than usual, resulting in a higher number of cases than anticipated.
Last week alone, around 900 new cases of flu were reported, more than doubling from the week prior; of those, roughly 250 individuals were hospitalized due to flu complications. Reports suggest that 30 adults are currently hospitalized at Craigavon Area Hospital with flu.
Demoralized staff
Dr. Michael Perry, Vice President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, voiced concerns about the low morale and frustration among staff due to ongoing pressures. “As a clinician, I want to attend to the most serious patients that enter our department,” he explained, adding that they are often left to make the least problematic decisions.
He noted that this demoralization among nursing staff has repercussions for retention, saying, “If someone can leave this environment, why would they stay? There’s not much hope.”
Dr. Clodagh Corrigan, who serves as the deputy chair of the British Medical Association’s NI council and works in emergency medicine, shared her desire to help patients as quickly as possible. She expressed frustration when she finds herself with limited options, noting, “When you’re in that absolute gridlock, there’s nothing you can do. It’s incredibly disheartening.”
Ambulance delays
Neil Sinclair, the director of operations for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS), highlighted that the service is facing “increased demand that exceeds our capacity,” largely due to seasonal illnesses. On Wednesday afternoon, 80 patients were waiting for an ambulance while 66 others were attending various incidents, with 32 of those at emergency departments.
Sinclair noted that current operational plans are not as effective as needed, stating, “I think right now we are seeing more flu and Covid cases than expected.” He expressed concern that if conditions do not improve, response times may worsen, indicating an already challenging situation.
Earlier, NIAS attributed the delays to broader challenges within the health and social care system, exacerbated by ongoing trade union actions. They acknowledged the impact of these delays on patients and their families and stated efforts had been made to reduce handover times, though the system remains under severe pressure.
