I have broken these down into % due to the changes that have taken place over the years; you will notice the drop in attendance being contributed to the closure of Belfast City A&E in Nov 2011.
- Year on year shows Q2 of 2013 as one of the worst, this is for 2 reasons: 1) 74% of patients seen in less than 4 hours, 2) 25% seen in 4-12 hours. 2011 did see more 12 hour breeches but its other performance was far better
This is a very interesting one, the injuries you should be getting treated for here in no way should exceed 12 hours, what is happening with these units that for the first time since 2010 we have patients waiting over 12 hours. If these patients are acutely ill these units simply do not have the Dr’s to treat the patient, these are nurse led units, it’s a massive clinical risk. I met the Northern Trust bosses lately requesting them to postal drop every house and let them know what can be treated and who can be treated in a minor injury unit, as most will not treat children under the age of 5, this will make sure that patients go to the right place for the right treatment.
Also see over 1,000 transferred from Mid Ulster Minor injury unit : http://savethemid.weebly.com/1/post/2013/07/over-1000-patients-referred-to-other-aes-from-mid-ulster-minor-injury-unit.html
Considering all the information, are things really better since they shut Mid Ulster A&E in May 2010 ?