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Northern Ireland health trusts cancel non-emergency operations Northern Ireland health trusts cancel non-emergency operations
(35 minutes later)
Belfast Health Trust has cancelled all non-urgent elective surgery up to and including 10 January due to pressures on emergency departments.Belfast Health Trust has cancelled all non-urgent elective surgery up to and including 10 January due to pressures on emergency departments.
The rest of Northern Ireland's five trusts have cancelled some non-urgent elective surgeries.The rest of Northern Ireland's five trusts have cancelled some non-urgent elective surgeries.
The Southern Trust said it had cancelled less than 10 operations. It is one of a series of escalation measures put in place in order to tackle demands on the emergency system.
Cancelling the operations is one of a series of escalation measures put in place in order to tackle demands on the emergency system. The Southern Trust said it had cancelled less than 10 operations and was doing so on Tuesday only.
The Belfast trust said: "This decision has not been taken lightly and will be kept under review throughout the remainder of the week.The Belfast trust said: "This decision has not been taken lightly and will be kept under review throughout the remainder of the week.
"We would like to stress that cancer surgery and emergency cases are unaffected."We would like to stress that cancer surgery and emergency cases are unaffected.
"Minor healthcare issues can be dealt with at home, by a pharmacist or by a GP.""Minor healthcare issues can be dealt with at home, by a pharmacist or by a GP."
Meanwhile, the South Eastern Trust said all of its hospital emergency departments were under "significant pressure" on Tuesday evening.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 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''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, 21,767 people have attended their local emergency department. Of those attending, 139 people had to wait more than 12 hours to be seen.In the past 15 days, 21,767 people have attended their local emergency department. Of those attending, 139 people had to wait more than 12 hours to be seen.
Last year, more than 23,000 people sought help at their emergency department when 145 people exceeded waiting 12 hours.Last year, more than 23,000 people sought help at their emergency department when 145 people exceeded waiting 12 hours.
A national target is in place where people should not have to wait more than four hours to be seen by a doctor in the emergency system.A national target is in place where people should not have to wait more than four hours to be seen by a doctor in the emergency system.
While a spokesperson for the Health and Social Care Board said it was unacceptable that anyone should have to wait, they stressed that Northern Ireland's waiting time figures were improving.While a spokesperson for the Health and Social Care Board said it was unacceptable that anyone should have to wait, they stressed that Northern Ireland's waiting time figures were improving.
In 2011/12 there were 10,211 12-hour breaches, while last year that figure was slashed to 3,130.In 2011/12 there were 10,211 12-hour breaches, while last year that figure was slashed to 3,130.
'Significant pressure''Significant pressure'
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 sees around 200 people in its emergency department, but it is expected that figure will be exceeded on Tuesday night.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.
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.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.""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".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."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.