'Extreme pressure' of COVID-19 at Altnagelvin and Enniskillen causing 'great concern' and forces postponement of surgeries

She said the health authority is facing unprecedented pressures due to the high rate of infection of COVID-19 and the subsequent increasing numbers of COVID-19 positive patients.

Mrs. McKay made the call with both the Altnagelvin and the South West Acute Hospital operating over their funded capacity.

The Enniskillen facility is currently operating at 118% bed capacity.

“The number of COVID-19 inpatients is again increasing at both Altnagelvin Hospital and the South West Acute Hospital. We expect these numbers to steadily increase throughout January and possibly into February. This is putting extreme pressure on the hospital system, including our workforce and is causing us great concern.

"This is not a simple matter of putting up more beds. Beds require staff to care for patients and pre-existing staffing pressures and staff absence of 11% and increasing daily mean that those staff simply aren’t there," she said.

Mrs. McKay said the crisis situation meant the Trust has had to take the decision to cancel surgeries.

“We have therefore taken the very regrettable, but necessary decision to announce as of today that routine elective inpatient, outpatient and day case surgeries will be postponed until further notice. Red flag and some time critical procedures and clinics will continue, but will be reviewed daily," she said.

The Trust director warned that if the rate of hospitalisations continues then the Trust will have no choice but to reduce all services apart from emergency services, trauma surgery and COVID-19 treatment.

“We are under no allusion that if the number of COVID positive patients continue to increase at the rates predicted the Trust will have no option but to move to perform emergency and trauma surgery only (this will NOT include cancer/red-flag surgery) in order to safeguard the capacity needed within our hospital to continue the fight against COVID-19. Staff will be redeployed to areas where they are needed the most and they will continue to be supported throughout.

“The Western Trust is currently in the process of contacting all affected patients directly.”

She reiterated her appeal for people to only attend their local Emergency Department if they require emergency care.

“Patients will also need to leave hospital as soon as they are medically fit to leave. This may mean that patients/families accepting a placement where it is available and it might also mean families and carers having to provide temporary support for their relatives.

“Every single member of our staff across our hospital and community settings are yet again rising to the extreme challenges of this third surge and we again thank them for their tremendous efforts. However, our thanks is not enough. We are all in this together and we need every single member of the public to play their role in reducing infections rates and the pressures on our health and Social Care System. Please follow the lockdown guidance and STAY AT HOME.”