Simon Hoare
Just over a year ago, the chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, Simon Hoare, said this: The stark reality is that the Northern Ireland health service is falling behind the rest of the UK. An approach to funding that simply keeps things ticking over, and an absence of overarching strategy in key areas, has left services at breaking point and this situation must end as soon as possible. Other parliamentary reports speak of policy vacuums and a system doomed to deteriorate until services collapse under pressure .
We can t blame the virus for putting pressure on our service, the cracks have long been there.
PARAMEDICS from as far away as Tipperary are on duty in Northern Ireland after one of the highest one-day Covid-19 death tolls was announced.
Despite that, shoppers continued to hit the high streets, with crowds making the most of the days left until non-essential retail closes.
The Department of Health announced yesterday that 17 people had died from Covid-19 in the previous 24 hours, bringing the local death toll to 1,183.
It also revealed that 640 people had tested positive for the virus during the same period. There are currently 427 Covid-19 patients in hospital, with 30 in intensive care and 30 on ventilators.
One ambulance crew made an almost 180-mile journey from Tipperary to Newry ambulance station to bolster local paramedics on duty on Friday night.
The Republic s National Ambulance Service is set to provide support to the healthcare system in the North this weekend.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has confirmed help will be provided due to the current pressures being experienced in Northern Ireland.
It comes after 656 new cases of the virus were confirmed today along with 12 further covid-19 related deaths.
The north s health system has come under intense pressure in recent days, with the number of its covid beds now operating above full capacity.
Coronavirus: Restrictions may return soon after Christmas amid sharp rise in Covid-19 infections Pubs and restaurants could close by December 28th as Nphet notes outbreaks in workplaces, Christmas parties and funerals
Fri, Dec 18, 2020, 00:15
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has called on members of the public to plan ahead and limit their contact with others over the Christmas period as Covid-19 cases start to rise again. Video: RTÉ
The period of relaxed restrictions – which begins on Friday – may be shortened after warnings from the National Public Health Emergency Team and a meeting with chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan. Photograph: Colin Keegan
The Republic s National Ambulance Service is set to provide support to the healthcare system in the North this weekend.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has confirmed help will be provided due to the current pressures being experienced in Northern Ireland.
It comes after 656 new cases of the virus were confirmed today along with 12 further covid-19 related deaths.
The north s health system has come under intense pressure in recent days, with the number of its covid beds now operating above full capacity.