DUBLIN (Reuters) – Northern Ireland’s health minister said on Sunday night that COVID-19 was putting the health care system under pressure “like never before,” as one hospital appealed on social media for help. immediately from all nearby health workers.
The British-run region has been struggling with high levels of coronavirus infection despite being in and out of some sort of lockout since October. Things have peaked since the outbreak of the pandemic after the Christmas holidays.
The Western Health and Social Care Trust, one of five regional organizations running Northern Ireland’s hospitals, made the call to staff near the South West Hungry Hospital (SWAH) in the town of Enniskillen, near border with Ireland.
“Pay attention to all the staff nearby near SWAH. Due to increasing pressure tonight on the NI Healthcare System (Northern Ireland) we urge you to call or go directly to hospital. Thank you, ”said the Trust on Twitter.
Patients were being taken to Enniskillen because of pressure on hospitals elsewhere, he said.
Sinn Fein lawyer Liz Kimmins, whose party co-leads the devolved regional government, sent in a message which she said was sent to nurses at another hospital in Craigavon city urging people to work that was not on duty to help Sunday night.
Health Minister Robin Swann shared a statement from senior hospital body officials urging people to go to emergency rooms only if they need emergency care, and that patients must leave hospital as soon as possible. they are medically fit to do so.
That could mean families have to “go further” to provide temporary support to relatives, they said. They warned that those arriving by ambulance may have to wait hours before a place becomes available in already stretched emergency departments.
The report said that despite hospitals already having 94% capacity, model projections show that they will be struggling with twice the number of COVID-19 patients in the third week in January.
“Our health service is under pressure like never before, try to play your part, follow instructions, you know what to do!” Swann said on Twitter.
Reciting with Padraic Halpin; Edited by Bill Berkrot