Recovering Derry COVID-19 patients to be decanted to Rectory Field and Waterside Hospital to ease pressure on Altnagelvin

The health authority said the move would reduce pressure at Altnagelvin Hospital.

Other facilities in Omagh and Enniskillen will cater for recovering patients in the south of the Western Trust.

A spokesperson confirmed: "These facilities will reduce pressure on hospital services by facilitating rapid discharge of medically fit patients and offering an alternative to hospital for palliative care, where necessary.

"In the Southern Sector, we will increase the capacity of Drumclay (22 beds), and intend then to move to access capacity in Omagh hospital rehab wards (30 beds).

"In the Northern Sector, we will maximise the use of under used residential homes, dedicate Rectory Fields (35 beds) as a Covid-19 step down facility, and will open ward 5 (21 beds) in Waterside Hospital to enable that unit to have expanded capacity for Covid-19 patients."

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