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Northern Ireland health trusts cancel non-emergency operations Northern Ireland health trusts cancel non-emergency operations
(35 minutes later)
All of Northern Ireland's health trusts have cancelled some non urgent elective operations in order to cope with pressures on emergency departments, the BBC has learned. All of Northern Ireland's health trusts have cancelled some non-urgent elective surgery due to pressures on emergency departments, the BBC has learned.
It is one of a series of escalation measures put in place in order to tackle demands on the emergency system.It is one of a series of escalation measures put in place in order to tackle demands on the emergency system.
Meanwhile, the South Eastern Trust said all of its hospital emergency departments were under "significant pressure" on Tuesday evening.
It said the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, was facing "particular challenges".
It is not unheard of for hospitals to cancel non urgent operations in times of pressure.It is not unheard of for hospitals to cancel non urgent operations in times of pressure.
But it is unusual for all five health trusts to do it at the same time.But it is unusual for all five health trusts to do it at the same time.
'Extraordinarily busy'
It is an indication of just how much pressure Northern Ireland's health service is under, especially within emergency care.It is an indication of just how much pressure Northern Ireland's health service is under, especially within emergency care.
The BBC has been told that the measure is being reviewed daily and was introduced after all health trusts reported an extraordinarily busy weekend.The BBC has been told that the measure is being reviewed daily and was introduced after all health trusts reported an extraordinarily busy weekend.
In the past 15 days more than 21,500 people have attended their emergency department, with 139 of them having to wait more than 12 hours to be seen. In the past 15 days more than 21,500 people have attended their emergency department, with 139 of them having to wait more than 12 hours to be seen.
That figure is slightly down from last year.That figure is slightly down from last year.
Antrim Area hospital is reported to be the busiest on Tuesday night.Antrim Area hospital is reported to be the busiest on Tuesday night.
On a normal day, it expects to see around 200 people in its emergency department, but by 16:00 GMT that figure had already been exceeded. On a normal day, it sees around 200 people in its emergency department, but it is expected that figure will be exceeded on Tuesday night.
'Surge'
In a statement, the South Eastern Health Trust said it was experiencing "significant pressure" at all of its emergency departments and increasing emergency admissions to all its hospitals.
"We are facing particular challenges at the Ulster Hospital emergency department, and would like to remind people to only attend if they are a genuine emergency."
The trust warned patients that they may have to wait longer than usual because of the "surge in attendances".
"Our staff have gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure patients receive the highest quality of care under difficult circumstances, and we would like to pay tribute to them for their hard work," the trust said.