A&E staff braced for winter influx

The Trust has praised the staff for their efforts in reducing waiting times at the Lisburn hospital, with no-one waiting for more than 12 hours to be treated.

However, they have also warned that winter traditionally sees an increase in the number of people attending A&E.

They have also warned that there continues to be a shortage of experienced doctors available to work in the Lagan Valley emergency department.

A spokesperson for the South Eastern Health Trust commended the staff at the hospital for their hard work.

“The South Eastern HSC Trust wishes to acknowledge the dedication of staff who are working extremely hard to reduce waiting times and we are delighted that these have improved.

“However, we recognise that winter is now approaching and that this will present us with further challenges as well as the shortage of experienced middle grade and senior doctors to work in the Emergency Departments alongside budgetary pressures,” she concluded.