According to the most recent data released y the Northern Trust a total of 564 patients waited over 12 hours for treatment, admission or discharge from its Acute A&E’s at Antrim and Causeway hospitals. In total these patients spent a minimum of 6,768 hours waiting through the month of January, this is equal to 282 days.
Worst affected was Antrim A&E in where despite a reduction (332) in the amount of patients arriving at the A&E from January 2011, 446 patients waited over 12 hours, the equivalent of 223 days within the A&E department alone. The A&E at Antrim resembles an inpatient ward with meals being served to patients rather than an Accident & Emergency room.
Antrim:
- 1,559 patients waited 4-12 hours to be treated
- 446 patients waited 12 hours plus to be treated
- 550 patients waited 4-12 hours to be treated
- 118 patients waited over 12 hours to be treated
If as residents we allow the Minister to think it is acceptable to wait in corridors, plastic seats and trolleys in Antrim it will not be long until he finds it acceptable for everyone around the country to wait in car parks, trolleys and porta-cabins in Belfast Hospitals after the removal of more life saving services in the Northern Trust.