http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2204872/The-NHS-Trusts-leaving-patients-trolleys-50-hours-How-did-YOUR-hospital-perform.html
Save The Mid already submitted a patient survey to government concerning the treatment of patients from Magerafelt and Cookstown in Antrim A&E, this survey went unheard or acted on -
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3yFZ5whLJ8zMjQ0NDhmZmQtOGQ1Yy00NDQ4LWIxODEtNmI2M2MzZjE2ZDU2/edit?pli=1
Save The Mid have also alerted RQIA on the ‘Corridor ward’ that is now in place at Antrim to line patients up as there is no room -
http://savethemid.weebly.com/1/post/2012/09/antrim-area-hospital-corridor-ae-ward-out-of-sight-out-of-mind.html
For 2 years Save The Mid have been repeatedly asking government to reinstate Acute services to Mid Ulster as the are required in Mid Ulster for Mid Ulster residents but also to make safe other service in areas such as Antrim and Coleraine.
Mid Ulster Hospital over the past 6 years has faced cuts in acute and inpatient care, the NHSCT were pre warned in a risk assessment in 2006 that network hospitals could not sustain it service if the shut down the Mid Ulster Hospital.
This is exactly what the NHSCT did and is a direct reason as to why the appalling conditions seen in Antrim Area Hospital. Patients are suffering as the NHSCT made a clinically unsafe decision.
Recently a report commissioned by Health Minister Edwin Poots, carried out by Rutter & Hinds highlights some of the issues in the Hospital, it was later stated by Valarie Jackson (Exe Acute services NHSCT) that 90% of those waiting for admission was because there was no bed to admit them to, yet the NHSCT continue to cut beds year on year.
It is quite simple capacity is full at Antrim, it was full before they shut the mid Ulster Hospital of acute services and now with a further loss of Thompson House more pressure will be put upon Antrim Area Hospital.
The question that must be answered now is when Edwin Poots stated on Hansard it was a mistake to shut services at Mid Ulster, will he now fix this mistake.
Save The Mid will be represented in a series of public debates surrounding health in Mid Ulster, this scam that we are getting better services must end and accountability brought into effect. 3 of the worst affected hospital for waiting are in N Ireland, either Trust Chiefs and the Minister step up or they should do the right thing and step down.
Hugh McCloy
Save The Mid
07871503189