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Anger at early hospital closure Anger at early hospital closure
(about 22 hours later)
The health minister has been urged to take action after the accident and emergency department at the Mid-Ulster Hospital closed early without warning.The health minister has been urged to take action after the accident and emergency department at the Mid-Ulster Hospital closed early without warning.
The unit normally closes at 2300 BST each night but since Friday it has shut at 1700 BST.The unit normally closes at 2300 BST each night but since Friday it has shut at 1700 BST.
It means that people needing emergency treatment have to travel to Antrim Area Hospital.It means that people needing emergency treatment have to travel to Antrim Area Hospital.
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust said the decision was taken due to short-term staffing difficulties.The Northern Health and Social Care Trust said the decision was taken due to short-term staffing difficulties.
Last year, the hospital's 24-hour accident and emergency department was closed down.Last year, the hospital's 24-hour accident and emergency department was closed down.
Signs were put up on the doors of the department at the weekend alerting patients to the earlier closing time.Signs were put up on the doors of the department at the weekend alerting patients to the earlier closing time.
The trust has had to take the decision to close the accident and emergency department from 5pm-11pm due to short-term staffing difficulties Northern Health and Social Care TrustThe trust has had to take the decision to close the accident and emergency department from 5pm-11pm due to short-term staffing difficulties Northern Health and Social Care Trust
But SDLP assembly member Patsy McGlone, who called for an urgent meeting with the health minister, said the community was outraged at the latest move.But SDLP assembly member Patsy McGlone, who called for an urgent meeting with the health minister, said the community was outraged at the latest move.
He said staff were given 15 minutes notice of the early closure on Friday.He said staff were given 15 minutes notice of the early closure on Friday.
"It is a ridiculous management situation. Staff were running around putting up notices in here on Friday at a quarter to five."It is a ridiculous management situation. Staff were running around putting up notices in here on Friday at a quarter to five.
"As we all know, for accident and emergency, weekends are incredibly busy times."As we all know, for accident and emergency, weekends are incredibly busy times.
Patsy McClone said it was a "ridiculous" situation The Mid-Ulster Hospital closed early on Friday
"The stress was put on here at the Mid Ulster and we have a situation in Antrim where they can't cope."The stress was put on here at the Mid Ulster and we have a situation in Antrim where they can't cope.
"What you are doing is removing the stress from here by closing early, and imposing it on Antrim where it already is under severe stress. It is a totally unsatisfactory situation.""What you are doing is removing the stress from here by closing early, and imposing it on Antrim where it already is under severe stress. It is a totally unsatisfactory situation."
The on-call doctor finishes at 0100 BST which means people who need treatment overnight either have to travel to Antrim or Coleraine.The on-call doctor finishes at 0100 BST which means people who need treatment overnight either have to travel to Antrim or Coleraine.
Major illnessesMajor illnesses
Local GP Dr Josef Kuriacose said the situation was unacceptable as changes in casualty hours were not backed up with improved roads.Local GP Dr Josef Kuriacose said the situation was unacceptable as changes in casualty hours were not backed up with improved roads.
"The problem I see is for sick children, babies and people with heart attacks and major illnesses having to wait considerable periods of time to get help in the future," he said."The problem I see is for sick children, babies and people with heart attacks and major illnesses having to wait considerable periods of time to get help in the future," he said.
"Things are changing for the worse, not the better, but this is unfortunately policy that is dictated by the positioning of the hospital on the periphery of Northern Ireland.""Things are changing for the worse, not the better, but this is unfortunately policy that is dictated by the positioning of the hospital on the periphery of Northern Ireland."
In a statement, the trust said: "The trust has had to take the decision to close the accident and emergency department at Mid-Ulster Hospital from 5pm-11pm due to short term staffing difficulties.In a statement, the trust said: "The trust has had to take the decision to close the accident and emergency department at Mid-Ulster Hospital from 5pm-11pm due to short term staffing difficulties.
"The situation will be kept under review on a daily basis."The situation will be kept under review on a daily basis.
"We have advised partners and all appropriate agencies, most notably the ambulance service and local GPs.""We have advised partners and all appropriate agencies, most notably the ambulance service and local GPs."