The Northern Ireland Executive issued a statement today, Thursday 9th January, addressing the winter pressures currently facing the province’s health and care system.
STATEMENT
This has been a particularly difficult winter across the Health and Social Care system, with exceptionally high flu rates and hospital admissions. We understand how difficult it has been for many patients and their families who have experienced long waits to access the care they need in a suitable environment.
While these challenges are being faced right across these islands, we want to make sure everything possible is being done to improve the situation here.
The health and wellbeing of people is our absolute priority as an Executive. We are committed to working together to deliver the improvements that are needed and we are united in our determination to support the Health Minister and his department in tackling these pressures.
We are continuing to work to reform and transform Health and Social Care and there are steps we can all take now to help alleviate the pressure being experienced.
We ask every individual to take whatever steps they can to stay safe and well.
Please take up the flu vaccine if you are eligible. It will benefit both you and the health service, as well as helping to protect the most vulnerable in our society.
The Department of Health has now extended the flu vaccination programme to include those aged 50 to 64 and we encourage people in this age group, along with all those in other eligible groups to come forward and receive the vaccine free of charge.
Arrangements are being completed at pace to make the vaccination available through Community Pharmacies, Trust vaccination clinics and GP surgeries. There will be a further update from the Department of Health in the coming days.Â
We urge everyone to take care in the cold and icy conditions and to use the most appropriate service for your needs if you should require medical treatment.
The Executive wishes to place on record our immense gratitude to our Health and Social Care workforce who are working tirelessly over this acutely challenging winter period to care for people and keep them safe. The unwavering dedication and professionalism they have shown, in the most difficult of circumstances, is humbling.
We also want to thank all those providing unpaid care, and our community and voluntary organisations who have done incredible work to care for and protect people this winter.
Those eligible for influenza vaccine under the extended programme are:
All adults aged 50 years and over on 31 March 2025;
persons aged six months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book influenza chapter (Green Book);
pregnant women;
those in long-stay residential care homes;
all health and social care workers;
all preschool children aged two to four years on 1 September 2024;
all primary and secondary school children (up to and including year 12);
carers;
close contacts of immunocompromised individuals;
high risk poultry & avian animal health workers
Treatment for a range of minor illnesses and injuries is available through services such as the Pharmacy First service in Community Pharmacies, Minor Injuries Units, GPs and local opticians. You can also access advice on managing common mild illnesses using the NI Direct A-Z symptom checker.
A Children’s Symptom Checker is also available. For more serious illness and injury, you may be able to avoid or reduce waiting time at Accident and Emergency Departments unnecessarily by using the Phone First Service before travelling.
When you contact the Phone First service in your Health Trust area, you will be given a medical assessment by a health professional over the phone, given advice and, if required, directed to the most appropriate urgent or community service.
In the event of a life-threatening emergency, always dial 999.