Out-of-hours GPs facing most difficult Christmas ever, says BMA
- Published23 hours ago
It has been the most difficult Christmas on record for out-of-hours GP services, a senior doctor has said.
Northern Ireland Chair of the British Medical Association (BMA), Dr Tom Black, said record numbers of patients were attending GP services.
The Southern Trust said its out-of-hours department was prioritising urgent calls.
On Christmas Eve, Western Urgent Care received 640 calls – up from 158 calls last year, Dr Black said.
Speaking to the BBC’s Good Morning Ulster programme, he said the health service had been overwhelmed.
“It has been for the last two months,” he said. “Since September we’ve really struggled to keep things going.”
Dr Black said emergency departments have also been very busy.
Almost 800 people were waiting to be seen at EDs at midday on Wednesday, according to Health and Social Care figures.
Some 333 patients were waiting for more than 12 hours.
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