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IT issues expected to continue for second day at hospitals

Jessica LawrenceBBC News NI

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"Significant" IT issues at services across the Southern Health Trust will continue into Thursday with the majority of planned surgery and out-patient hospital appointments being cancelled.

A major incident is still ongoing at sites, including Craigavon and Daisy Hill hospitals, as ambulances are being diverted while work continues to resolve the problems, the trust said.

Patients were warned not to come to appointments at any hospital or community service in the trust's area on Wednesday.

One patient at Daisy Hill hospital said she is "devastated" that she can not get an operation she has been waiting nearly a year for.

Priority is being given to emergency and critically ill patients.

In a statement the trust said planned surgery and out-patient hospital appointments will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

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'Disappointing'

Nicola Burns was taking her son Lorcán to Daisy Hill to get a cast removed after falling off his bike.

"We had an appointment for an x-ray in the fracture clinic, turned up here and told it's been cancelled, bit disappointing to get him out of school, now we have to home again," she said.

Ms Burns said they had "no idea of the problem" until they were there.

She said: "We kind of knew straight away, the waiting room was empty. It's a hassle he's got out of school, and I've left work."

Lorcán said "I don't mind".

His cast has been on for four weeks, Ms Burns said: "We were hoping he was going to get word of getting it off, now we don't know. We've to come back next week."

Elaine Agnew's operation was planned for Wednesday and she has been waiting since November.

She told BBC News NI she has no idea when it will be rescheduled.

Mrs Agnew said she's "devastated" but "what can I do," despite the disruption she said staff at the hospital have been "brilliant".

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Gerard Lennon was told he cannot leave Daisy Hill until he gets the results of a blood test, which have been delayed by the IT issues.

He said he has not been told how long he will have to wait.

"I know I'm probably in for a long wait but I don't mind. It was either here or Dundonald and there were 140 people waiting when I was there this morning."

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The trust covers a number of hospitals and care centres across counties Tyrone, Armagh and Down.

It includes South Tyrone Hospital in Dungannon, Craigavon Area Hospital, Lurgan Hospital, St Luke's Hospital in Armagh and Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry.

The trust have told BBC News NI the issue will run into Thursday, while the vast majority of community services and mental health domiciliary care will operate as normal.

However acute sites will be impacted with outpatient and planned surgery having to be cancelled and rescheduled.

People have also been asked to avoid coming to its hospitals and other sites, but patient visiting is still possible.

'Impact waiting lists'

The British Medical Association's Northern Ireland Council deputy chair, Dr Clodagh Corrigan said: "Today's events will inevitably impact waiting lists and is yet another clear indication of the dire need for investment."

She said staff are "trying their best" to deliver safe and effective care in "circumstances entirely outside of their control".

SDLP MLA Justin McNulty said there was "real worry and distress" for a large number of patients.

"It's important that we work to understand how this has happened and ensure systems are put in place to prevent a repeat in future," he said.

Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon said the IT problem is causing "significant disruption" to health services.

"I urge local people to monitor the Southern Trust's social media and the news for updates as this situation unfolds," she added.

The deputy leader of the Alliance Party, Eóin Tennyson said his thoughts are with "patients, families, and staff who are under enormous pressure".

He claimed: "Alliance will be seeking assurances that everything possible is being done to restore systems quickly, protect patient safety, and prevent similar failures in future."

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Colin McGrath, who sits on Stormont's health committee, said that "clear and consistent communication" with the public was essential.

"Patients should not be left feeling frightened or uncertain about their care," he said.

"Patients and families rely on our health service in times of greatest need, and they must be able to trust that it will be there for them when required."

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