Closing Belfast City Hospital A&E will put lives at risk, warns union
Written on July 19, 2011 by admin
Lives will be put in danger if health bosses press ahead with plans to close the A&E at Belfast City Hospital, a top public service union has warned.
The announcement that the emergency department is to be axed has prompted an angry response from the union, Unite, which has expressed serious concerns over proposals to overhaul emergency care at Lagan Valley Hospital and in the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust.
Regional officer Kevin McAdam said: “I am seriously concerned by these proposals and have no doubt lives will be put at risk if these changes happen.”
Health Minister Edwin Poots revealed A&E services at Lagan Valley are to be scaled back from next month due to a shortage of junior doctors and that he must cut the number of casualty units in Belfast to protect patients.
Mr Poots has denied the move is motivated by the need to save money – his Department is facing a 79m shortfall this year, even after a radical efficiency drive.
But Mr McAdam insisted the move is a “cost-cutting exercise”. And he said any reduction in A&E services at the City will lead to soaring waiting lists and lengthy trolley waits for patients.
Mr McAdam said: “The Mater is already struggling to cope with the overspill from Whiteabbey A&E after it closed last year.
“Now we are told there are going to be changes to the opening hours of the A&E at Lagan Valley and the Royal will be expected to take their patients.
“Both the A&Es at the Mater and Royal had to close their doors to patients last year because they were at capacity, so I am seriously concerned by these proposals.
“I have no doubt lives will be put at risk if these changes happen – the Minister is being extremely short-sighted.
“Any changes to service provision must be done in a planned and managed way.
“These changes are to happen in October – so if we have another winter like last year we will be in real trouble.”
In figures uncovered by the Belfast Telegraph in May, we revealed that the Mater A&E was forced to close its doors to patients 268 times over a 13-month period, while the Royal A&E had to do the same 159 times.
Also, 896 hospital diverts, where patients are turned away as the department is at capacity, were implemented between January 1 last year and January 2011. Over half related to casualty wards at the RVH, City and Mater.
Mr McAdam called on the Minister to engage with unions, politicians and the public before making a final decision on the future of the City A&E.
Background
In a shock announcement to the Stormont health committee on Wednesday, Health Minister Edwin Poots revealed opening hours at Lagan Valley Hospital’s A&E will be reduced from next month.
He blamed the changes on a shortage of junior doctors to staff the unit. More details are expected next week.
He also revealed the number of A&Es in Belfast are likely to be cut from three to two and said the City Hospital is in the firing line. Mr Poots said the changes are necessary for patient safety.
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