Menu
27/07/2017
Beds Closed At Altnagelvin Area Hospital Amid Bug Outbreak
All non-urgent routine procedures have been cancelled at Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Londonderry in an effort to stop the spread of a vomiting bug.
The Western Health Trust said that approximately 25 beds at the hospital are to be "temporarily closed" at the hospital, also citing staff shortages and a "number of ongoing challenges".
It is understood that up to six wards at the hospital have seen an increase in instances of vomiting and diarrhoea.
A number of infection prevention and control measure have been implemented at the hospital.
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said: "This latest ward closure and the cancellation of many patients' appointments at Altnagelvin have come as the combination of a number of factors, some of which are beyond the control of the Trust or Department but others which are recurrent.
"Patient safety is paramount and therefore it is vital that all possible steps are taken to ensure infection control. I would urge people to heed the Trust's advice in this regard.
"However, issues around workforce numbers are sadly symptomatic of major historic ongoing faults in workforce planning. We have an insufficient number of qualified staff and those that we do have are overstretched. This problem is only going to become more pronounced in the future unless action is taken now.
"Delays in patient discharges are often due to a lack of suitable home care packages to support discharged patients. This is an area in dire need of urgent and major investment.
"Patients and staff cannot afford to be let down by a failure to bring about transformation of our healthcare system but the current political stagnation is failing them miserably."
(MH/LM)
The Western Health Trust said that approximately 25 beds at the hospital are to be "temporarily closed" at the hospital, also citing staff shortages and a "number of ongoing challenges".
It is understood that up to six wards at the hospital have seen an increase in instances of vomiting and diarrhoea.
A number of infection prevention and control measure have been implemented at the hospital.
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said: "This latest ward closure and the cancellation of many patients' appointments at Altnagelvin have come as the combination of a number of factors, some of which are beyond the control of the Trust or Department but others which are recurrent.
"Patient safety is paramount and therefore it is vital that all possible steps are taken to ensure infection control. I would urge people to heed the Trust's advice in this regard.
"However, issues around workforce numbers are sadly symptomatic of major historic ongoing faults in workforce planning. We have an insufficient number of qualified staff and those that we do have are overstretched. This problem is only going to become more pronounced in the future unless action is taken now.
"Delays in patient discharges are often due to a lack of suitable home care packages to support discharged patients. This is an area in dire need of urgent and major investment.
"Patients and staff cannot afford to be let down by a failure to bring about transformation of our healthcare system but the current political stagnation is failing them miserably."
(MH/LM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 February 2024
Appeal For Witnesses Following West Belfast Collision
Police officers investigating a two-vehicle road traffic collision in west Belfast have issued an appeal for witnesses and dash-cam footage On 10 January officers received a report of a collision involving a car and motorcycle at approximately 5.30pm at the junction of Divis Street and Westlink on-slip, in the city-bound lanes.
Appeal For Witnesses Following West Belfast Collision
Police officers investigating a two-vehicle road traffic collision in west Belfast have issued an appeal for witnesses and dash-cam footage On 10 January officers received a report of a collision involving a car and motorcycle at approximately 5.30pm at the junction of Divis Street and Westlink on-slip, in the city-bound lanes.
01 February 2024
Men Sentenced For Ballymena Drug And Money Laundering Operation
Three men were sentenced for offences linked to a drugs and money laundering operation in the Ballymena area yesterday, 31 January. At Antrim Crown Court, Troy Carley (27), Neil Lowry (30) and Marc Mitchell (32) were sentenced for a number of offences.
Men Sentenced For Ballymena Drug And Money Laundering Operation
Three men were sentenced for offences linked to a drugs and money laundering operation in the Ballymena area yesterday, 31 January. At Antrim Crown Court, Troy Carley (27), Neil Lowry (30) and Marc Mitchell (32) were sentenced for a number of offences.
22 April 2024
Police Issue Fresh Appeal For Witnesses To Banbridge Shooting
A man shot in the abdomen in a Banbridge car park on Friday, 12 April, remains in a critical condition in hospital. The man, aged in his 40s, was shot as he sat in a car by a masked man. Detectives investigating a shooting in the Rathfriland Road area returned to the scene on the evening of Friday, 19 April.
Police Issue Fresh Appeal For Witnesses To Banbridge Shooting
A man shot in the abdomen in a Banbridge car park on Friday, 12 April, remains in a critical condition in hospital. The man, aged in his 40s, was shot as he sat in a car by a masked man. Detectives investigating a shooting in the Rathfriland Road area returned to the scene on the evening of Friday, 19 April.
12 March 2024
Appeal Following Serious Collision In Gilford
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses following a serious road traffic collision on Banbridge Road, Gilford on Saturday 9th March. Just after 10.50pm, it was reported that two vehicles had collided on the road between Lawrencetown and Gilford.
Appeal Following Serious Collision In Gilford
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses following a serious road traffic collision on Banbridge Road, Gilford on Saturday 9th March. Just after 10.50pm, it was reported that two vehicles had collided on the road between Lawrencetown and Gilford.
24 April 2024
Ministers Urged To Act On Historical Clerical Abuse 'Without Delay'
The First Minister and Deputy First Minister must sign off on the terms of reference for delayed research into historical clerical abuse of children "without delay", Alliance Executive Office Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has said.
Ministers Urged To Act On Historical Clerical Abuse 'Without Delay'
The First Minister and Deputy First Minister must sign off on the terms of reference for delayed research into historical clerical abuse of children "without delay", Alliance Executive Office Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has said.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
