New 'Phone First' triage system for prospective Altnagelvin A&E patients

Geraldine McKay, Director of Acute Services at the Western Trust, said the system would operate similarly to how the Out-of-Hours (OOH) service operates now.

Emergency departments in the Western Trust have been extremely busy recently and in the week up to January 7 over 200 patients had to wait for over 12 hours to be seen.

"Our hospitals are under immense pressure," she said.

In planning for some time the new triage line chimes with the regional 'No More Silos' initiative which is aimed at maximising resources and reducing unnecessary attendances at A&E.


"'Phone First in the Western Trust will be launched in the next few weeks. We are about to go live," Mrs. McKay said on Tuesday.


"This is bringing the OOH care that you are all familiar with into day time care. There will be four options for the public who make that call. The first may be advice and treatment to them and no further action required so that they don't have to attend any other facility.

"They may be asked to contact their GP practice and make an appointment instead. They may be given advice to attend a minor injuries screen at any facility or they may be told to proceed to an emergency department if the care required is urgent," she said.

Mrs. McKay said that patients who are seriously ill or injured or require urgent care immediately should still use the 999 service or go directly to their local emergency department.

"The public should be aware and continue to do that," said the local hospitals boss.