Пациенту в Северной Ирландии пришлось ждать санитарный транспорт 16 часов перед экстренной операцией

A LOCAL patient requiring emergency surgery was left waiting more than 16 hours for an ambulance transfer, with the delay prompting fresh concerns over the safety of emergency care. The shocking wait of 16 hours and 21 minutes for transfer from the SWAH to Altnagelvin Hospital was revealed at Stormont, in figures from the Department of Health provided to local MLA Deborah Erskine following an Assembly Question. The revelation has prompted renewed concern from the campaign group SOAS, which claims delays can sometimes extend for days. “First hand testimony we have received from patients and staff is that the delay can extend into days, in some cases we are aware of up to 180 hours,” said a group spokesperson. SOAS also warned that some patients were choosing to travel by car with family or friends rather than wait for an ambulance, describing this as an ‘unsafe journey’ if medical intervention was required en route. SWAH has also seen an increase in transfers, with Ms Erskine stating the number of patients travelling between SWAH and Altnagelvin had risen to around six a day. Ms Erskine said, “No extra ambulance cover was commissioned by the Department of Health. Yet we are nearly four years down this road.” She said she had raised concerns with the health regulator, RQIA, and planned meetings with the Western Trust and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS). SOAS added, “The only way to end this risk is to restore emergency surgery at SWAH.” NIAS was contacted for comment.