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Royal Victoria Hospital: Major incident at Belfast A&E | Royal Victoria Hospital: Major incident at Belfast A&E |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A major incident was declared at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital on Wednesday due to a large backlog of patients at the A&E department. | A major incident was declared at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital on Wednesday due to a large backlog of patients at the A&E department. |
The hospital said additional staff had to be called in and extra beds opened to relieve pressure on the unit. | The hospital said additional staff had to be called in and extra beds opened to relieve pressure on the unit. |
At one stage, 42 people were waiting on trolleys and staff described the situation as "horrendous". | At one stage, 42 people were waiting on trolleys and staff described the situation as "horrendous". |
The Belfast Trust said the situation was brought under control just before midnight. | The Belfast Trust said the situation was brought under control just before midnight. |
At about 20:00 GMT, trolleys from the emergency department were backed up into the x-ray area. | At about 20:00 GMT, trolleys from the emergency department were backed up into the x-ray area. |
As a result, some A&E patients were placed in the recovery area and fracture clinic. The day procedure unit was also re-opened. | As a result, some A&E patients were placed in the recovery area and fracture clinic. The day procedure unit was also re-opened. |
Staff at the hospital told the BBC that if a major trauma had been brought into the hospital on Wednesday night, there was neither space nor staff to cope with it. | Staff at the hospital told the BBC that if a major trauma had been brought into the hospital on Wednesday night, there was neither space nor staff to cope with it. |
Eamonn Hughes was at the hospital as his brother, Patrick, needed emergency treatment. | |
He described the scene as "seven hours of sheer hell". | |
"It was like something you would see in third world countries," he said. | "It was like something you would see in third world countries," he said. |
Ambulances diverted | Ambulances diverted |
"The staff were overworked. There were hundreds of people who were not being attended to. | "The staff were overworked. There were hundreds of people who were not being attended to. |
"This is a normal Wednesday night. There are no major disasters thankfully or car crashes, so I dread to think what would happen if something abnormal happened." | "This is a normal Wednesday night. There are no major disasters thankfully or car crashes, so I dread to think what would happen if something abnormal happened." |
Ambulances were diverted to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald for several hours during the evening. | Ambulances were diverted to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald for several hours during the evening. |
The hospital said some patients were transferred to other sites. | The hospital said some patients were transferred to other sites. |
A spokesperson for the Belfast Trust said "everything that could be done, had been done". | A spokesperson for the Belfast Trust said "everything that could be done, had been done". |
She said the situation was "very unusual". | She said the situation was "very unusual". |
BBC Northern Ireland health correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly said: "Clearly what happened in the Royal Victoria Hospital last night proves that the current A&E policy is not working. | BBC Northern Ireland health correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly said: "Clearly what happened in the Royal Victoria Hospital last night proves that the current A&E policy is not working. |
"Considering a major incident was declared, this time it cannot be dismissed as media speculation." | "Considering a major incident was declared, this time it cannot be dismissed as media speculation." |
She said there was "no real explanation" for the surge of patients on Wednesday night adding that the situation was against a "relatively quiet backdrop". | She said there was "no real explanation" for the surge of patients on Wednesday night adding that the situation was against a "relatively quiet backdrop". |
On Monday, the BBC reported that the A&E at the Royal had struggled at the weekend to cope with its intake. | On Monday, the BBC reported that the A&E at the Royal had struggled at the weekend to cope with its intake. |
The health board said the weekend had passed without major difficulty. | The health board said the weekend had passed without major difficulty. |
In November 2011, Belfast City Hospital's Accident and Emergency Unit closed its doors and the Royal became the main hub of emergency care in Belfast. | In November 2011, Belfast City Hospital's Accident and Emergency Unit closed its doors and the Royal became the main hub of emergency care in Belfast. |