Hundreds of patients were waiting for beds and dozens of ambulances were parked outside hospitals on Sunday as severe winter health pressures hit the health service.
The Department of Health said the health and social care system was experiencing “severe pressure” at the weekend.
Seasonal flu and sickness have contributed to the rising numbers attending hospital, with health minister Mike Nesbitt paying tribute to staff who have been working in challenging conditions.
It’s understood around 400 people were waiting on a hospital bed this weekend, while as many as 40 ambulances were queued outside hospitals across the north awaiting entry for those inside.
At least six ambulances were seen parked outside the Ulster Hospital on Sunday afternoon awaiting admission.
The department issued an apology to those who had experienced long delays for services on Sunday, and said it was deploying “all available levers to reduce pressures where possible”.
“I am being regularly updated on the pressures and I pay tribute to staff for their outstanding work,” health minister Nesbitt said.
“I warned several weeks ago that the Health and Social Care system was again facing a very difficult winter period. Winter preparedness plans were of course developed but they were always going to mitigate the pressures rather than eradicate them.
“Serious challenges are also being experienced in neighbouring health services, with flu cases a significant contributory factor.
“I am assured that everything that can be done by the HSC system in the current situation is being done. Longer term solutions require both investment and reform to increase capacity and ensure services can better meet the needs of our community.”
Among the actions being taken by the department and health trusts in the north to try and combat pressures are “maximising bed capacity” and “taking a system-wide approach”, the department said.
“Close co-operation with independent social care providers is ongoing. This includes a focus on promptly assessing patients ahead of transfers from hospitals to care homes,” a DoH statement said.
“An app has been developed and is being deployed to provide real-time information on available care home places, and digital solutions introduced to maximise Trust Home Care availability.
“Priorities for the HSC system remain maximising patient flow through hospitals and reducing ambulance turnaround times at Emergency Departments.”
Health trusts reported hospitals to be “extremely busy” over the weekend, with appeals being made to patients to consider whether hospital is the appropriate service for them.
The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust also encouraged the public to support the discharge of patients in hospital when they are medically fit.
“It helps free up beds for those who need them most, the sickest patients get the care they need
and prevents very sick patients waiting too long in emergency departments.”, the trust said.
