Health Minister Robbie Butler has said measures are being taken to help the Altnagelvin Emergency Department (ED) cope with what is anticipated to be a highly pressurised winter period.

Mr. Butler said the Department of Health is working with the Western Trust, which has already acted to try to improve patient flow, reduce delays and support the safe and timely care of patients.

The minister was asked by Foyle Ciara Ferguson what plans are in place to prepare for the winter period.

He replied that WHSCT is taking measures to maximise timely discharge, reduce avoidable admissions and improve accessing to alternative care paths.

This has included, he said, the use of a 'seven-day' discharge lounge that has been in operation since 2023.

Between April and August 2026 the lounge recorded 1,358 attendances - around 272 per month.

"The Trust has also expanded capacity across community and intermediate care services. Since 2024/25, additional care home and intermediate care beds have been commissioned with further expansion planned during 2026/27, including increasing intermediate care capacity at Waterside Hospital and developing up to 125 additional care home placements,” he advised.

A Trusted Assessor role has been introduced to support timely care home admissions whole a Community Discharge Coordination Team oversees complex hospital discharges.

"Despite these improvements, the Trust recognises that ongoing pressures relating to patient acuity, acute bed availability, community capacity and delayed discharges continue to contribute to prolonged ED waits and hospital flow challenges.

"The Trust has also implemented escalation arrangements to manage periods of increased demand, including enhanced operational oversight, continuous monitoring of capacity and patient flow, and the activation of additional capacity where required.

"These measures are intended to reduced overcrowding within the ED, improve ambulance handover performance and ensure patients receive care in the most appropriate setting as quickly as possible,” said Mr. Butler.

He pointed to recent improvements at the ED, including new vending facilities, access to drinking water, additional toilets and showers, a new kitchen.

An eight-seat recliner chair area is nearing completion for patients experiencing prolonged waits.

Mrs. Ferguson said: “I will continue to press the Minister for further action to improve patient experience, waiting times, hospital flow, delayed discharges and ambulance handover times, while pushing for priority capital investment in a new, fit-for-purpose emergency department.”