Urgent request of off-duty medical staff as a hospital at the limit “Facing the abyss”

An emergency call was made to an off-duty healthcare worker in Northern Ireland because a hospital in Northern Ireland was “facing the abyss.”

The CEO of Western Health and Social Care Trust, who tweeted an urgent message, warned that the group’s hospitals were in a “very serious situation.”

1 in 4 patients (about 700) in the trust hospital Coronavirus, Compared to 400 at the peak of the first wave, Belfast live Report.

Northern Ireland’s director of health claims that the number of patients at Covid Hospital will double by the third week of January compared to current figures.

The Western Trust said pressure was now rising at such a rate, and they needed all available staff “nearby” to be on duty.

Holidays and off-duty people were expected to participate in response to those who were already working.

The Trust tweet, which took place at 6:16 pm on Sunday, said: “Beware of all off-duty staff near SWAH. Due to increasing pressure on the NI healthcare system tonight, we are calling to contact the hospital directly or to go directly to the hospital. ”

Dr. Anne Kilgallen, Chief Executive Officer of Western Trust, said: “This situation is more serious than ever in the process of this pandemic. We can say that our hospital is facing an abyss.

“Currently, one in four people in our hospital is infected with Covid-19. About 700 people are already in a very serious situation, with 400 hospitalized at the peak of the first surge. . “

She said they were trying to maintain their emergency department for the most ill people, and most soon everything was postponed except for emergency surgical procedures.

“This is a painful and not neglected decision for each of us as Chief Executive Officer, but we need to do it now to be able to provide the essential services to them. I’m confident that he is the most sick person in our society, “added Dr. Kilgallen.

This happened when an alert was issued to staff at Enniskillen’s South West Acute Hospital on Sunday night to urge them to go directly to the hospital due to increasing pressure on the community’s health system.

South West Acute Hospital said: “Beware of all off-duty staff near SWAH. Tonight there is increasing pressure on the NI healthcare system, so we are calling to contact the hospital directly or to go directly to the hospital. Thank you.”

The director of health said the expected surge in hospitalization could not be resolved by increasing the number of beds because staff were not there to accommodate the increase in patient numbers.

“The situation is very serious, and in the third week of January, we will fight twice as many Covid-positive patients as we are in where some hospitals already have a record number of patients. I’m modeling a prediction that shows that I’m doing. “The statement was read.

“This is not a simple matter of increasing beds. We need staff to handle the growing number of patients.

“Existing staffing pressure, the absence of staff due to Covid, and other reasons simply mean that those staff aren’t there.”

Northern Ireland’s healthcare system has been under severe pressure since Christmas. The hospital is almost full and Belfast has canceled the cancer surgery procedure.

On Sunday, there were 17 deaths from Covid-19 in Northern Ireland and 1,112 additional positive cases.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the total number of people who have died from the virus has reached 1,460, and the total number of confirmed cases has reached 88,700.

703 people were infected in the Northern Ireland hospital and 53 in the ICU.

The hospital occupancy was 94% and 15 ICU beds were available.

The 7-day incidence in the region per 100,000 population is 556.

Newry, Morne and Down had the highest population of 801 per 100,000, followed by Mid Ulster with 751 and Almer City, Banbridge and Craigavon ​​with 722.

Health Director said that some trusts have already included some red-flag cancer surgery to relocate staff to meet the urgent and urgent needs of highly ill patients in need of ICU treatment. He said he had to stop everything except selective surgery.

“These deferred operations will be rescheduled as soon as possible,” they said.

“We have established a regional approach to ensure that theater capacity available throughout Northern Ireland is assigned to patients who are most in need of surgery, both during and out of the surge. did.

“This may mean that the patient needs to move further for surgery.

“Cancer services aim to maintain chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other non-surgical treatments, and alternative treatments are offered when surgical options are not available.”

They added that medical staff would do everything they could to deal with the unfolding situation, despite being “exhausted.”

“It’s certainly not an easy task, and the care we can provide can be below the high standards we usually provide, but we will do our best,” they said.

“Desperately sick patients, whether Covid or non-Covid, are always prioritized.”

The public is always urged not to attend the emergency department unless emergency medical care is needed.

“Attendees are likely to spend more time waiting for a medical examination and hospitalization if needed,” the Chiefs said.

“Patients arriving by ambulance sometimes wait for hours, and then space becomes available with an already overgrown ED.”

They warned that when pressure was “inevitably” applied to one part of the health and social care system, it would affect another.

“We may need families to gladly fill the inevitable gap in home care,” they said.

“The phrase” all together “has never been so appropriate and very important.

“The Covid-19 vaccine provides long-term hope, and the current blockade provides an opportunity to shorten the period of the current surge,” they added.

They urged the public to continue to play their part by staying at home, reducing social distance and wearing face coverings.

On Friday, a new blockade restriction came into effect that prevented people from leaving the house for non-essential reasons.

The strict rules are valid until February 6th, but will be reviewed later this month.