A&E visit shows Lockhart the pressure staff are under

DIRECTOR OF ACUTE SERVICES: BARRY CONWAY, TRUST CHAIRPERSON: ROBERTA BROWNLEE, CLLR CARLA LOCKHART, AND MR KIERAN DONAGHY - INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE.

Speaking following her visit Cllr Lockhart said: “Immediately upon arrival to A&E I was greeted with the business of the Department and the many people awaiting an appointment.

“The waiting area was full to capacity with staff working tirelessly to deal with issues and process and care for those in need.

“I had a very informative tour of the hospital which services the Upper Bann constituency and saw first hand the difficulties in terms of bed space, staffing levels and waiting times. CAH A&E Department is one of the busiest in Northern Ireland with similar figures to the Royal Victoria.

“This demonstrates the vastness of the area that CAH takes in.

“Whilst I accept we have on occasions long waiting times this does not detract from the deep desire of the Trust and the staff working in it to care for and help those in need.

“We must focus on the positives of our health service whilst not looking at it through rose tinted glasses accept that investment is a must.

“The two issues that I personally will be lobbying on with regards to the A&E department in Craigavon will be more staffing resources and for an “exit block” which would allow for patients who are able to get home to be transferred and allow for others to come in.”