Trust reveals Area Hospital’s improved performance

In a statement issued on Friday, the Trust said: “During April to June the Antrim Area Hospital Emergency Department (ED) has had 2089 more attendances than the same period last year, this represents a 10% increase. Antrim Hospital has also seen a significant increase in ambulance attendances over the past 2 years - there are 300 more ambulance attendances per month which is approximately a 28% increase.

“Not only is the Department seeing bigger numbers, but those needing admission are more ill and more complex than before, which can mean longer hospital stays and challenges on bed availability for new admissions.

“The Trust has been working hard to put measures in place to improve the flow of patients through the hospital and continues to open up alternative access routes for patients such as the acute assessment unit and rapid access to diagnostics pathways.

“The Trust is pleased to see an improvement in performance in June which we are delighted to see has extended into July with no patients to date waiting over 12 hours. We will continue to do all we can to provide the care we would expect for our families and ourselves.”