The Western Health and Social Care Trust has warned of “extreme pressures” at its hospitals after patients waiting for surgery were forced to lie on the floor at Altnagelvin in recent days.
The Irish News has seen images of an unwell patient at the Derry hospital who was provided with a blanket and pillows to lie on the floor next to a toilet cubicle, while connected to an IV drip.
The patient did not wish to be named but is understood to have been waiting more than 24 hours on an operation.
A statement from the Western Trust said it could not comment on individual cases, but cited acute pressures at Altnagelvin adding that it is currently operating more than 40 beds above its funded capacity at the hospital.
“We are acutely aware of the continuing challenges and extreme pressures not just in our Emergency Departments but across both of our acute hospital sites and community services, with full escalation of beds on all wards and departments and additional beds in place in the community,” a trust spokesperson said.
“Both our acute hospital sites are over capacity with 41 escalated beds over and above the 370 funded beds at Altnagelvin Hospital and 31 escalated beds at South West Acute hospital over and above the 202 funded beds.
“Pressures are not unique to the Western Trust area and are being experienced across Northern Ireland. We are working alongside the Regional Control Centre daily to manage pressures.”
The Trust apologised for long waits and moved to reassure the public it was doing everything possible “under difficult circumstances”.
“Unfortunately due to these extreme pressures, patients waiting for admission to a ward are having to wait longer in our Emergency Departments than we would like and we apologise for this.
“We want to reassure the public that we are doing the best that we can and wish to thank our staff for the excellent care they provide to our patients under difficult circumstances.”