Belfast Health Trust “under extreme pressure” as they call for off duty staff to work

A Northern Ireland health trust is calling for off duty staff to come into work telling them them the system is “under extreme pressure”.

The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust posted on its Facebook, under the headline ‘ATTENTION ALL OFF-DUTY STAFF!’, that they need help, citing a rise in Covid patients and pressure on A&E.

The post reads: “Our teams are under extreme pressure today in the Royal Victoria Hospital and Mater Hospital as we are caring for an increasing number of Covid-19+ patients, alongside emergency admissions.

“We are asking for help from you, our Trust nursing staff, to work this evening and overnight. We would ask anyone who is available to work tonight to make contact with us on 07825 140 173.”

The move comes after the Trust announced on Friday that they are suspending a number of procedures due to mounting pressure on the healthcare system. The Health Minister, Robin Swann, has also expressed concerns over rising Covid numbers as well as a number of people who remain unvaccinated.

The mounting pressure due to Covid and other issues, also comes after a number of people held a ‘freedom march’ in Belfast yesterday to highlight their opposition to lockdown restrictions.

Later, the South Eastern Health Trust posted a similar message. It said: "We are currently experiencing pressures in the system and would appeal for any Trust staff who can help out this evening to contact their Department Manager."