The Department of Health (DoH) has today appealed to the public to do all it can to help the health service get through this winter.
It has highlighted the current pressures on health and social care services and the potential for these to escalate further in the coming weeks.
DoH Permanent Secretary Peter May said:
“Services are under severe pressure all year round. However, this intensifies further in winter months when there are greater levels of illness in the community."
He said: “The Department published a detailed Winter Preparedness Plan for the health and social care system in October, setting out a series of investments, initiatives and priorities. However, we were clear that while these measures can mitigate winter pressures, they cannot prevent them.
“Longer-term solutions are needed to bridge the gap between demand for care and existing capacity to provide that care.
“Sadly, the current gap means that many patients will face delays for care and far too many of these delays will be lengthy.
“Health and Social Care workers will work relentlessly to prioritise care according to need, treating the sickest quickest.
“I cannot praise or thank them enough and I would appeal to the public to be patient with staff and support them in every way they can.
“They have not created this situation and are doing the best they can to work through it.”
There are practical steps the public can take to support the health service this winter, and the Droartment is encouraging those who are eligible to get their COVID-19 and flu vaccines.
Co-operating with hospital discharge processes is absolutely vital. Every bed occupied by a person who is medically fit to leave hospital is a bed not available to a patient waiting at home, or in an Emergency Department, or in an ambulance outside a hospital.
A range of healthcare services is available to the public including the Pharmacy First service in Community Pharmacies, Minor Injuries Units, GP services and NI PEARS (Primary Eyecare Assessment and Referral Service) participating optometry practices for eye problems.
If you have a mild or minor illness, you can also find information about a range of common illnesses using the NI Direct symptom checker.
Children who require urgent medical attention should attend their local Emergency Department. If your child is unwell and does not require urgent care please use the Belfast Trust Children’s symptom checker for advice and guidance.