Dr. Monica Monaghan paints stark picture of life on the frontline in Western Trust and warns sceptics 'COVID-19 is real'

Dr. Monica Monaghan, a consultant cardiologist, delivered the warning after working ten days in a row at the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen yesterday.

She said staff were exhausted, treating incredibly ill patients on a daily basis and warned the pandemic sceptics that 'COVID-19 is real' and people need to adhere strictly to the Department of Health guidelines.

"I've just come from the Coronary Care Unit from assessing and caring for incredibly ill patients.

"I've also been to the emergency department where many patients are waiting on trollies for beds within the hospital and I've been assessing patients throughout the hospital.

"I've also been involved in a number of meetings aiming to try to make beds free within the hospitals for the patients who are coming in.

"Patients are incredibly sick, some requiring very high doses of oxygen and some on ventilators in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)," said Dr. Monaghan.

In the first of series of video diaries paid tribute to colleagues who have been working so hard to fight the hardest surge the Western Trust has faced yet.

"Staff are tired and I pay tribute to all of my colleagues, those at the frontline in the care of patients with COVID and non COVID conditions, and those that make the operation of this hospital possible.

"I pay tribute to my colleagues who care in the community, to my colleagues in general practice and to all those who are caring for loved ones at home. We recognise that this is an incredibly difficult time," she said.

Dr. Monaghan had a simple message for the public.

"We are looking after patients with very serious physical but also very serious psychiatric conditions. COVID-19 is real. Patients are coming to hospital incredibly ill. I would ask you to please follow the Department of Health guidelines. Keep your distance, wear your mask, wash your hands, protect the NHS."