THE Northern Health and Social Care Trust yesterday issued a warning that two of its hospital emergency departments were "under extreme pressure".
In a post on social media it said that the A&E units at Antrim Area Hospital and the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine were facing high demand.
It comes just a day after the Western Health and Social Care Trust was also forced to issue a plea for people not to attend without serious conditions.
It came as staff at the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen also faced a weekend of pressure due to high demand at its emergency department.
The trust said on Sunday that it continued to be "extremely busy", with demand for services stretching staff to the limit and issued a plea on social media for people to visit only in genuine emergency cases.
It urged people to use the minor injuries unit at Omagh Hospital for less serious conditions, but said those with a "life-threatening, medical or mental health emergency" should attend the nearest emergency department.
Trusts across the north continue to face accident and emergency pressures caused by factors including staff sickness and the ongoing impact of Covid-19.
The Northern trust became the latest to issue a warning to people about the pressures it was facing yesterday.
In its message posted on social media, it said: "Both Antrim and Causeway Hospital emergency departments are under extreme pressure.
"There are 77 very sick patients awaiting beds across both hospitals.
"If your condition is not urgent or life-threatening you will face a long wait to be seen."
