‘Extremely busy’ health Trust suspends all visiting and appeals for staff help

THE Western Trust has put out an “urgent appeal” for staff to come in and support across their “extremely busy” facilities.

Posting on social media, the Trust said, “We are extremely busy across our Emergency Departments and throughout our hospitals.

“Maintaining our bed capacity across all our hospital settings in Altnagelvin and South West Acute Hospital is crucial, and the ability to do so is dependent on creating a pool of available staff.”

In particular, the Trust says it is looking for nurses of all bands as well as nursing and care assistants, support service staff and housekeepers.

Staff are advised to contact their department regarding their availability to help tonight and in the coming days.

Visiting is also being suspended at all of the Trust’s facilities from midnight tonight (Wednesday) until at least Friday.

A Trust spokesperson said, “Restriction of visiting is very emotive and difficult, causing distress for families, patients, residents and staff, but it is essential that these updated visiting restrictions are effectively applied to ensure safety of all.

“There will again be certain exceptional circumstances where visiting will be possible.”

The announcement comes as health chiefs warn they are facing an increasingly stretched workforce as the highly transmissible Omicron variant forces staff to isolate.

Speaking on behalf of all Trust directors in the North this week, Dr Seamus O’Reilly said, “It is vitally important that people only come to hospitals if their condition dictates that they need to be there. Emergency Departments are there to deal with genuine life-threatening emergencies for example chest pain, breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness, stroke or sudden confusion.

“In any situation where resources are likely to be as depleted as we anticipate, it is vital that we are able to prioritise those who are most in need of our attention and that they receive timely and appropriate treatment and care. So please use alternatives where possible.”