Western Trust officials hoping they can reduce the number of intensive care beds they need
While Western Trust chief executive Neil Guckian said the health service in Northern Ireland is “entering into a very difficult period”, it has emerged officials are optimistic they can reduce the number of intensive care beds they require.
A total of 29 inpatients in the Western Trust had Covid-19 on Monday, with six of the 13 critical care patients across Altnagelvin and the South West Acute hospitals infected with the virus.
Speaking at a media briefing on Monday afternoon, assistant director of acute services Mark Gillespie said: “Over recent days, critical care has de-escalated across the region and indeed in both our hospitals.
“South West Acute Hospital are back to their baseline and Altnagelvin has decreased from 13 beds, which is our surge level 2A, to 11 beds which is surge level one, with a plan to reduce further by the end of this week.”
Earlier today, the Department of Health said that 7.78 per cent of beds in Altnagelvin Hospital are COVID-19 occupied with staff treating 26 patients with Coronavirus.
Five of these patients are currently being treated in Altnagelvin’s ICU for COVID-19.
The hospital is currently running at 1.11 per cent under capacity for beds.
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