Health Minister Mike Nesbitt confirms a new A&E for Altnagelvin won’t arrive for at least five years, despite urgent calls for improvements.
Derry: Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has shared some tough news. A new Emergency Department for Altnagelvin Hospital is at least five years away. He mentioned this during a recent debate at Stormont.
Nesbitt expressed his support for the calls for a new A&E. He assured everyone that a new emergency department is on the way, but it’s going to take time. He said five years is a realistic estimate.
During the debate, Foyle MLA Padraig Delargy highlighted the hospital’s struggles. He pointed out that Altnagelvin has the longest waiting times in Northern Ireland. It’s a serious issue that needs addressing.
Delargy noted that the current emergency department was built for 40,000 patients a year. Now, it sees between 70,000 and 80,000. That’s a huge increase, and it’s putting a strain on the hospital.
He also mentioned recent changes that have added to the workload. Other hospitals have cut back on services, which means more patients are coming to Altnagelvin. It’s become the trauma center for the north-west, and it needs more resources.
Waiting times are alarming. In 2021, patients waited nearly 20 hours from arrival to admission. Those numbers don’t even tell the full story, as some patients get admitted right away.
Delargy stressed the importance of future-proofing the new department. It needs to be flexible to handle population growth and increased demand. It’s about providing better care for everyone, especially vulnerable groups.
He urged the Health Minister to act quickly. More inpatient beds are needed, along with a recruitment strategy to meet the growing demand. It’s crucial to ensure clear pathways for patients needing care.
Nesbitt responded, saying he fully supports the need for a new emergency department. He understands the concerns and has seen the issues firsthand. He’s visited several emergency departments and knows the challenges they face.
He acknowledged that Altnagelvin is the oldest department, which brings its own set of problems. The current facility was designed for far fewer patients than it now serves. He reiterated that a new ED is coming, but it will take time.
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