Northern Ireland’s healthcare system is grappling with mounting pressure as nearly 400 patients await hospital beds, BBC News NI has learned.
The majority of emergency overflow beds are reportedly already in use, compounding the crisis.
Rising cases of flu and respiratory infections have significantly increased demand for hospital treatment.
At 3:00 PM on Saturday, 41 ambulances were queued outside emergency departments across the region. Shockingly, one ambulance had been waiting for nine hours to admit a patient.
A BBC reporter witnessed at least seven ambulances lined up outside Causeway Hospital in Coleraine on Saturday afternoon, unable to offload patients due to a lack of staff and space.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) described the situation as “severe,” citing systemic pressures.
“All calls received by NIAS are subject to triage to ensure that those who are sickest,” an NIAS spokesperson explained.
“This will unfortunately mean delays for patients waiting with less urgent conditions and NIAS would apologise to those patients who find themselves in this situation.”
The strain is being felt across Northern Ireland’s health and social care trusts:
Western Trust: 70 patients awaiting beds, including 22 at South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen and 48 at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry.
Belfast Health Trust: Reported 38 patients waiting for admission as of Friday.
Healthcare professionals have long warned about the fragile state of Northern Ireland’s health system.
Chronic underfunding, staff shortages, and the ongoing demand surge during winter exacerbate the crisis.
