Western Trust preparing for third Covid surge

THE Western Trust is preparing for a third Covid surge as hospital admissions are on the rise again.

South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen and Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry are working ‘beyond capacity’ to cope with Covid19 and also the winter flu season.

The number of positive patients in the local community have increased over the last number of days and the Trust is now preparing for a third surge with increasing Covid related admissions.

As of today (Monday), in Altnagelvin Hospital there are 43 Covid19 Patients, with three of these patients in ICU.

There is currently 330 Staff off work, but this figure includes sick leave unrelated to Covid.

In South West Acute Hospital, there are 23 Covid patients, with two of these patients in ICU.

There is 136 staff members not available which includes sick leave unrelated to Covid.

In total, there are 619 staff members not available across the Trust.

There are currently 20 Community Care / Residential Facilities and Day Centre Facilities with Covid outbreaks declared in the Western Trust.

Geraldine McKay, Director of Acute Services said,

“Our Emergency Departments at Altnagelvin Hospital and South West Acute Hospital continue to be extremely busy. There has been a high number of attendances over the past number of days.

“Over the past number of years, the level of complex and serious conditions, particularly amongst those who are vulnerable due to frailty and other conditions of aging, the prevalence of flu and other respiratory conditions at this time of year, and the challenges of helping patients to return home after a hospital stay does mean that our hospitals can run at a higher level of occupancy.

“This, coupled with managing a high number of COVID-19 cases, does mean that our hospitals are currently running beyond funded bed capacity.

“In addition as the number of positive patients in the local community have increased over the last number of days, the Trust is now preparing for 3rd surge with increasing COVID related admissions,” said Mrs McKay.