Ambulances were forced to queue outside Antrim Area Hospital this week. Picture by Mal McCann Sharon Gallagher Sharon Gallagher, chief executive of the Health and Social Care Board OUR health and social care service is under huge strain. And yes, I know this seems to happen nearly every year, but believe me when I tell you that Covid-19 has put immeasurable pressures on services and on our dedicated staff. The evidence is already clear for everyone to see with many hospitals working beyond full capacity. The ambulances parked outside some of our hospitals in recent days painted the starkest of pictures.