Routine elective in-patient, out-patient and day case surgeries will be postponed “until further notice”, the Western Health and Social Care Trust confirmed today (January 7). The Trust, alongside all Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland, is facing unprecedented pressures due to the escalating rate of infection of Covid-19 and the subsequent increasing numbers of Covid-19-positive patients in hospitals. The Trust is already at a peak in terms of Covid-19 patient numbers, and projections indicate that from the third week of January, that number could be set to “double”. In addition, the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) is already currently operating at 118 per cent of its bed capacity.
Ulster Herald
Advertisement Posted: 4:37 pm January 7, 2021
By Emma Ryan
THE Western Trust has announced the cancellation of all planned surgery this week due to rising numbers of Covid cases.
As of today (Thursday), routine elective inpatient, outpatient and day case surgeries will be postponed until further notice.
Red flag and some time critical procedures and clinics will continue, but will be reviewed daily.
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The Western Trust is currently in the process of contacting all affected patients directly.
The Trust claim that it is already at a peak in terms of Covid19 patient numbers and projections are indicating that from the third week of January 2021, that number could be set to ‘double’.
BBC News
By Marie-Louise Connolly
Published
The Belfast Health Trust has said it has no other option but to cancel urgent cancer surgery.
These are known as red flag cancer cases where an operation is expected to impact on a person s recovery and even surviving the disease.
The Department of Health has confirmed to the BBC that it s estimated that one in 60 people in NI have Covid-19.
It is understood the trust expects many 100s of new Covid patients in the next three weeks.
The demand for bed space is described as highly significant , while a source added that all is being done to find beds and staff .
After having no patients with Covid-19 for the majority of the Christmas period, the number of cases of the virus at the hospital is now starting to rise. .
Covid-19 pressure rose at Portlaoise hospital going into New Year s Day
New admissions on New Year s Eve to Laois hospital confirmed by HSE
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The pressure caused by the Covid-19 third wave increased on Portlaoise hospital s Frontline pandemic staff on New Years s Eve with the admission of more patients who had tested positive for coronavirus.
Portlaoise staff spent Christmas Day caring for four patients but this rose to seven going into New Year s Day, according to the latest figures published by the Health Service Executive.
The HSE Covid-19 Daily Operations Update for Acute Hospitals for December 31 was published on New Year s Day for the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise and other hospitals around Ireland.