‘High level of pressure' across emergency departments

EMERGENCY departments across Northern Ireland are currently experiencing a high level of pressure, the Health and Social Care Board has said.

The health authority says the crisis is due to people presenting with minor ailments like a bad cough or a stomach pains. 

The Board and the Public Health Agency are urging the public to consider other care options available to them such as their GP, nearest Minor Injury Unit or local pharmacy, if their symptoms are not urgent or life threatening.  

“By choosing the most appropriate service, patients will receive the right treatment in the right place and will help alleviate pressures on other urgent care services at this very busy time," a spokesperson for the Health and Social Care Board said.

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“The public are reminded that emergency departments provide the highest level of emergency care for patients, especially those with sudden and acute illness or severe trauma. 

“Patients who present at emergency departments will always be dealt with in order of clinical priority, so more acutely ill patients will be seen first.

“It is regrettable that some people are having to wait longer to be treated in emergency departments or to be admitted to hospital at this time."