Consultant: EDs are often operating at 200% capacity
Dr Michael Perry says winter pressures have reached 'tipping point'
A leading Consultant in the Southern Trust says emergency departments are frequently operating at 200% capacity.
Dr Michael Perry is an ED Consultant in Craigavon Hospital, as well as the Northern Ireland Vice Chair of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine.
He was speaking as we approach the peak of the winter pressures period.
Dr Perry described what it's like on shift on a daily basis:
"You're working in a situation where you feel like it's almost dangerous at times because you've got staff are so stretched, you've got patients being cared for in inappropriate areas, you're constantly trying to play musical chairs with the beds to create a space in resus for that next critically ill patient to come in.
The pressures are compounded by high rates of respiratory illnesses at this time of year, recruiting, retention and funding issues.
And with nurse s and health workers set to join other public sector workers on strike this week, there's a warning the problem could worsen:
"For staff on the ground at the minute it feels like there doesn't seem to be a plan, there doesn't seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel to this, where is the solution?
"You're approaching the point of a tipping point here, there is no more wiggle room to go, the EDs are completely full and bursting at the seams...something has to give."