Western Trust consultant's appeal: 'Be safe this Halloween to help our hospitals'

WITH hospitals currently facing "severe pressures", a Western Trust consultant in Emergency Care and Medicine has appealed for people to be safe this Halloween.

The Trust is also encouraging public support with timely discharge for patients.

It comes as the heath body reported increased pressures at both its Altnagelvin and South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) due to the number of patients needing hospitalised.

This pressure is being seen across the entire Health and Social Care (HSC) system, and in and in an effort to alleviate those pressures, the Trust is urging the public to remain safe Halloween and to avoid the need to attend hospital.

Dr Daniel Smyth, who works at Altnagelvin, said: "Halloween is traditionally an extremely busy time of the year for all the emergency services, particularly for Western Trust staff working at Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Derry/Londonderry and the South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen.

“This year with the challenges faced by health care workers across the Western Trust area we are urging the public to stay safe this Halloween so as to avoid having to attend our Emergency Departments.

“If people are using fireworks as part of the Halloween festivities I would hope that they can enjoy them safely.

"Although fireworks can be entertaining and exciting, particularly for the younger members of our community, they can be extremely dangerous and can cause serious injury if not handled properly.

"It is important to remind people of how dangerous sparklers can be and that they are extremely hot for some time after the sparkler has gone out and can cause serious burns."

Dr Smyth continued: "This year the traditional Halloween celebrations in Derry City, also in Enniskillen and in towns across the Western Trust area are going ahead and it is important that everyone can enjoy this festival with their family and friends in a responsible way.

“We would also ask parents and adults to be extra vigilant and prevent underage alcohol or drug abuse to prevent any activities contributing to likely injury.

"For young people, drinking alcohol is harmful as your body is still developing.

"Binge drinking makes you ill and damages your health, increasing risk of accidents and assaults.

“We hope that the festivities are enjoyable for all involved.

"Please stay safe and do all you can to prevent unnecessary admissions to our hospitals."

On Thursday, the Trust issued an urgent public appeal asking families for support to help with ongoing delayed patient discharges inits hospitals.

A spokesperson said: "If you or a loved one is deemed medically fit for discharge, we ask you to work with our Hospital Discharge Teams to facilitate discharge in a safe and timely manner to free up beds for those who need them most."

At one point, there were 60 patients awaiting admission from Altnagelvin Hospital Emergency Department (ED) to "an already full hospital" for further investigations or treatment, while there were 62 medically fit patients on wards delayed for discharge.

Similarly, in Emergency Department at SWAH in Enniskillen there were 25 patients iawaiting admission, with 94 medically fit patients on wards delayed for discharge.

The Trust spokesperson added: "It is vital that those who are ready for home are discharged at the earliest possible opportunity.

"This may include going home with a partial care package in place, or awaiting the commencement of a care package. It may also include going to an alternative care setting, including a rehab facility, as part of a patient’s planned care or to wait for care a patient requires.

"If this is the case, then our Community Social Work Teams will continue to work with you following discharge from hospital to ensure your critical care needs are met.

"Delayed discharges are detrimental to the wellbeing of the patient, both medically and mentally.

"If you have any queries around discharge of a family member or loved one, our Hospital Discharge Teams are contactable via the switchboard at our three acute hospital sites: Altnagelvin Hospital 028 71345171; South West Acute Hospital 028 66382000; Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex 028 833100.

"We thank you for your ongoing support of our staff as we try to provide the best possible level of care to all those who need it."