02/08/2010
Casualty Response Figures Improve
Accident & Emergency response times have been improving across Northern Ireland.
Figures just released from the Department of Health have shown a significant improvement in emergency care waiting times in Northern Ireland.
Validated figures for emergency care waiting times for June 2010 showed that 85.6% patients were either treated and discharged or admitted on their arrival in an Emergency Care Department. This compares to 82.8% in both May 2010 and April 2010.
The figures also show a significant drop in the number of patients who waited longer than 12 hours across all Emergency Care Departments - 209 patients waited longer than 12 hours, compared to 661 in May 2010 and 633 in April 2010.
A total of 61,017 people attended Emergency Care Departments during June 2010, compared to 63,478 in May 2010 and 62,378 in April 2010, showing a continued high demand for services.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) said: "While these figures are encouraging, limited resources do continue to pose a significant challenge, however Trusts are expected to keep up their hard work in the drive to improve waiting times.
"The Minister has continually stated his commitment to pressing for much needed additional funding to invest in our health service to meet rising demand.
"However this is a tremendous achievement, particularly for the Northern Trust as it reflects the good work done by the Trust in planning for this change to A&E Services and also the fact that key medical and nursing staff are no longer stretched to the limit trying to provide emergency cover across four hospital sites."
The statement went on to say that A&E services should only be used for emergency situations: "Cuts, bruises and sprains are generally regarded as minor injuries and are not normally considered to be emergencies.
"People who have concerns about an ongoing health problem or a minor injury should in the first instance contact their GP, out of hours service or local minor injuries unit.
"Minor injuries services are widely available across Northern Ireland with units at the Tyrone County, Mid Ulster, Whiteabbey, South Tyrone, Armagh, Ards and Bangor hospitals.
"The medical staff who work in these units are able to deal with the vast majority of conditions seen in A&E departments."
(BMcC/GK)
Figures just released from the Department of Health have shown a significant improvement in emergency care waiting times in Northern Ireland.
Validated figures for emergency care waiting times for June 2010 showed that 85.6% patients were either treated and discharged or admitted on their arrival in an Emergency Care Department. This compares to 82.8% in both May 2010 and April 2010.
The figures also show a significant drop in the number of patients who waited longer than 12 hours across all Emergency Care Departments - 209 patients waited longer than 12 hours, compared to 661 in May 2010 and 633 in April 2010.
A total of 61,017 people attended Emergency Care Departments during June 2010, compared to 63,478 in May 2010 and 62,378 in April 2010, showing a continued high demand for services.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) said: "While these figures are encouraging, limited resources do continue to pose a significant challenge, however Trusts are expected to keep up their hard work in the drive to improve waiting times.
"The Minister has continually stated his commitment to pressing for much needed additional funding to invest in our health service to meet rising demand.
"However this is a tremendous achievement, particularly for the Northern Trust as it reflects the good work done by the Trust in planning for this change to A&E Services and also the fact that key medical and nursing staff are no longer stretched to the limit trying to provide emergency cover across four hospital sites."
The statement went on to say that A&E services should only be used for emergency situations: "Cuts, bruises and sprains are generally regarded as minor injuries and are not normally considered to be emergencies.
"People who have concerns about an ongoing health problem or a minor injury should in the first instance contact their GP, out of hours service or local minor injuries unit.
"Minor injuries services are widely available across Northern Ireland with units at the Tyrone County, Mid Ulster, Whiteabbey, South Tyrone, Armagh, Ards and Bangor hospitals.
"The medical staff who work in these units are able to deal with the vast majority of conditions seen in A&E departments."
(BMcC/GK)
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27 August 2010
A&E Waiting Times Falling
Figures released today from the Department of Health have shown a continued improvement in emergency care waiting times in Northern Ireland. Validated figures for emergency care waiting times for July 2010 showed that 86.3% patients were either treated and discharged or admitted within four hours of their arrival in an Emergency Care Department.
A&E Waiting Times Falling
Figures released today from the Department of Health have shown a continued improvement in emergency care waiting times in Northern Ireland. Validated figures for emergency care waiting times for July 2010 showed that 86.3% patients were either treated and discharged or admitted within four hours of their arrival in an Emergency Care Department.
10 September 2012
Suicide Watch Family Accuse Mater Hospital Of 'Not Listening'
The family of a suicidal man have hit out at Belfast's Mater Hospital for releasing him on the grounds that he was of no danger to himself. They said staff are "not listening" to suicide concerns.
Suicide Watch Family Accuse Mater Hospital Of 'Not Listening'
The family of a suicidal man have hit out at Belfast's Mater Hospital for releasing him on the grounds that he was of no danger to himself. They said staff are "not listening" to suicide concerns.
25 March 2011
A&E Waiting Stats Released
Statistics on the time spent waiting in emergency care departments within Northern Ireland during the month of February 2011 have been published. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) carried out the research.
A&E Waiting Stats Released
Statistics on the time spent waiting in emergency care departments within Northern Ireland during the month of February 2011 have been published. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) carried out the research.
18 March 2010
Unemployment Figures Still Gloomy
There has been a modest drop in local unemployment figures, but this has been offset by a decrease in the number of people finding work - especially in the building sector. As measured by the Labour Force Survey (LFS), the numbers out of work in NI was estimated at 6.3% for the period November 2009 to January 2010.
Unemployment Figures Still Gloomy
There has been a modest drop in local unemployment figures, but this has been offset by a decrease in the number of people finding work - especially in the building sector. As measured by the Labour Force Survey (LFS), the numbers out of work in NI was estimated at 6.3% for the period November 2009 to January 2010.
25 March 2013
Reduced Bills For NI Water Customers
NI Water has announced its customers are to see an average reduction of almost 3% in their water and sewerage charges. It said the new charges will be reflected in bills from April. It is understood metered customers will see a decrease in their combined water and sewerage bills of approximately 1.
Reduced Bills For NI Water Customers
NI Water has announced its customers are to see an average reduction of almost 3% in their water and sewerage charges. It said the new charges will be reflected in bills from April. It is understood metered customers will see a decrease in their combined water and sewerage bills of approximately 1.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
