Write a commentThe Southern Trust’s Acute Medical team has been working hard to prepare for another busy winter at both Daisy Hill and Craigavon Area hospitals. The new year will see the £1million Direct Admissions Unit open at Daisy Hill helping reduce overnight stays for those who do not immediately need an inpatient admission and free up beds for the most acutely ill patients.
Dr Shane Moan, Clinical Director for Medicine and Unscheduled Care at Daisy Hill says “With an ongoing increase in patients coming to our hospitals, we are very busy all year round. But winter does present extra challenges - with more respiratory illness and vomiting and diarrhoea bugs circulating in the community.
“All of the staff throughout our hospitals always go that extra mile throughout the winter making sure everyone gets the best possible care.
“We have also been working hard to put plans in place to cope with the extra pressures – we have additional beds that can be opened if needed and we are working closely with surgical colleagues to minimise the need to cancel operations for patients already booked in. We are also working with community services like domiciliary care and residential homes to help us get support in place as quickly as possible to discharge those patients who are fit to go home.”
For tips and advice on choosing the right service and staying well this winter, go to www.nidirect.gov.uk
