‘Unprecedented’ staffing pressures affecting ambulance call-out times

It said this was partly because of staff absences and also a delayed turnaround time at hospital emergency departments.

In a statement on Thursday night, the NIAS asked if anyone was able to make their own way to an emergency department to do so instead of calling 999.

Northern Ireland has seen record Covid-19 case numbers in recent days with the spread of the Omicron variant.

In a statement the NIAS said, “The NIAS is experiencing unprecedented pressure due to the number of staff unable to attend work as a result of Covid-19 and our ability to respond due to pressures at Emergency Departments is resulting in delayed turnaround for ambulances.

“NIAS always prioritise calls to ensure that the most clinically urgent calls receive the fastest response with delays for those whose clinical needs are less urgent.

“However, the situation currently is that even the most urgent calls may now face delays.

“We would take this opportunity to apologise to patients and carers who may endure lengthy delays while we strive to provide as good a service as we can in the circumstances prevailing across the HSC system.

“NIAS would ask anyone who can make their own way to Emergency Departments to do so, instead of calling 999 in the first instance.

“However, in life-threatening situations 999 calls should be used immediately.”