‘Significant investment’ going into 40 years old Altnagelvin A&E that was designed to ‘cater for 35,000 people’
The Western Trust is ‘putting significant investment’ into Altnagelvin A&E, Mike Nesbitt has said, after it was claimed the 40 years old facility was originally designed to ‘cater for around 35,000 patients’.
The Health Minister said: “I have been in the ED at Altnagelvin. It is the oldest of our type 1 EDs, and it looks and feels it, and that reflects really negatively on the patient experience.
"The Western Trust is putting significant investment into the current ED to try to make it a better experience for those who use it. I still want to see the new ED, but I am afraid that I cannot see it coming within the next five years.”
Mr. Nesbitt was asked about pressures on the A&E by DUP MLA Alan Robinson.
“The Minister is quite right: the Altnagelvin emergency department is now 40 years old, and it was designed to cater for around 35,000 patients back then,” said the Limavady MLA.
Mr. Robinson asked if the minister believed the reconfiguration of the South West Acute Hospital was adding to the numbers attending Altnagelvin.
"I have no evidence to that effect,” he said. “If the Member is talking about emergency general surgery in the SWAH, yes, that is still subject to a temporary suspension and patients are diverted primarily to Altnagelvin.
"We became aware some months ago of double examinations, whereby patients who had reported to and been assessed at the SWAH ED were assessed for a second time after being sent to Altnagelvin. By and large, that has stopped. It should have stopped totally. People should have only one assessment, which should be done at the SWAH.”