NI Health: Patients spending over a week in emergency departments

A patient in Northern Ireland endured an excruciating wait of over 330 hours in an emergency department, highlighting the dire conditions faced by both staff and patients in these units. According to figures obtained by BBC News NI, one patient spent two weeks waiting at the Ulster Hospital, while another waited 11 days at the Mater in Belfast. Dr. Clodagh Corrigan, deputy chair of the British Medical Association in Northern Ireland, described the situation as “horrific” for both patients and healthcare workers. The Department of Health acknowledged that the waiting times in emergency departments were well below the standard of care they strive to provide.

The Department of Health aims for 95% of patients to be treated, discharged, or admitted within four hours, with no patient waiting longer than 12 hours. Dr. Corrigan, an emergency medicine consultant, urged the department to allocate its resources more effectively. A Freedom of Information request revealed that every health trust in Northern Ireland experienced patient waits of about a week or longer. The Northern Health Trust explained that a patient at Antrim Area Hospital had to wait more than 10 days due to the need for isolation in a side room for safety reasons.

The British Medical Association highlighted the pressure in emergency departments caused by hundreds of patients who are medically fit for discharge but lack a care package or suitable facility to go to. The backlog of patients not moving through the hospital system contributes to the strain on emergency departments. The BMA emphasized the necessity for greater investment in the health service and multi-year budgets to address the ongoing challenges faced by healthcare staff in Northern Ireland. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt acknowledged the pressures within emergency departments and the department’s efforts to improve patient flow through urgent and emergency care.

During a period from December 2024 to January this year, data obtained from all five health trusts revealed the immense burden healthcare staff faced during the height of winter pressures. Conditions were described as “intolerable” by nursing leaders, with 140 patients waiting in crowded emergency departments for more than 100 hours. Altnagelvin Area Hospital reported the highest number of patients waiting extended periods, with one person spending a week in its emergency department. The department recognized the potential harm to patients due to long waiting times and assured that measures were being taken to address the issue

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