New night time closure of Lisburn hospital A&E begins

The South Eastern Trust say the decision to restrict the opening hours of the unit to 9am-8pm seven days a week from Monday night has been taken because of a shortage of junior doctors, but they hope the move will be temporary.

A spokesperson said that despite “extensive efforts” the restriction in opening hours was “necessary.”

“The Board has been working with all Trusts including Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to ensure that the changes can happen smoothly and safely,” she explained.

“Patients can attend A&E at the Lagan Valley Hospital between 9am to 8pm daily. The hospital will continue to admit patients in its normal pattern. There are no changes to any other service at Lagan Valley.

“The Board will continue to work with the Trust to see if improvements can be made to opening times. A key priority for the Board has been to ensure emergency provision is available to the population in the greater Lisburn area.

“This is a temporary change due to a shortage of medical staff but the change is expected to be in place for a number of months. Efforts to recruit more doctors will continue.

“Patients can attend A&E at Lagan Valley Hospital as normal between the hours of 9am and 8pm. Outside these hours, the Lagan Valley A&E Department will be closed and patients should seek help/ advice at an alternative emergency facility.”

She continued: “Over the past few years, it has been increasingly difficult to recruit medical staff for Accident & Emergency departments. This has been a national problem across the UK.

“A number of factors are behind the staffing difficulties including unexpected absences, difficulties in obtaining suitably qualified locum doctor cover, reductions in the hours which medical staff can work because of the European Working Time Regulations and changes in clinical practice which have led to increasing specialisation. These factors have been well documented over the years.

“Although the Trust is considering a wide range of options for the future of emergency care at Lagan Valley Hospital in the longer term, the change to limited opening hours as an interim measure was chosen in order to address current recruitment difficulties.

“The urgency of the current situation will not detract from this review and any associated public consultation regarding the longer term plans for Lagan Valley Hospital. The aim is to provide safe and effective care for all those who attend the Accident & Emergency Department at Lagan Valley Hospital,” she concluded.

24 hour Accident & Emergency departments are available in Ulster Hospital (9048 4511), Royal Victoria Hospital (9063 2250), Belfast City Hospital (9026 3877), Mater Hospital (9074 1211), Royal Belfast Hospital For Sick Children (9063 3755), Craigavon Hospital (3833 4444), Daisy Hill (Newry) (3083 5000), Antrim Area Hospital (9442 4548). The Accident & Emergency Department at the Downe Hospital will continue to open from 8am to 10pm (4461 3311). Anyone requiring emergency attention after 8pm should ring 999. There are no changes to the Lagandoc GP Out of Hours Service – telephone 9260 2204. A full Accident & Emergency Department will continue to operate at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, 24 hours a day – telephone 9048 4511.