Executive says healthcare ‘absolute priority’ as hospitals battle flu spike

THE executive has said that healthcare is its “absolute priority” as as hospitals battle “exceptionally high” flu rates.

In a statement on Thursday, the executive commented: “This has been a particularly difficult winter across the Health and Social Care system, with exceptionally high flu rates and hospital admissions.

“We understand how difficult it has been for many patients and their families who have experienced long waits to access the care they need in a suitable environment.

“We are committed to working together to deliver the improvements that are needed and we are united in our determination to support the health minister and his department in tackling these pressures.”

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The executive also appealed to the public to take personal responsibility.

“Please take up the flu vaccine if you are eligible. It will benefit both you and the health service, as well as helping to protect the most vulnerable in our society,” it said.

“The Department of Health has now extended the flu vaccination programme to include those aged 50 to 64 and we encourage people in this age group, along with all those in other eligible groups to come forward and receive the vaccine free of charge.

“Arrangements are being completed at pace to make the vaccination available through Community Pharmacies, Trust vaccination clinics and GP surgeries. There will be a further update from the Department of Health in the coming days.

“We urge everyone to take care in the cold and icy conditions and to use the most appropriate service for your needs if you should require medical treatment.”

Offering its “immense gratitude” to health and social care workers, it said the “unwavering dedication and professionalism” they had shown was “humbling.”

“We also want to thank all those providing unpaid care, and our community and voluntary organisations who have done incredible work to care for and protect people this winter.”

SDLP opposition health spokesperson Colin McGrath said the statement from the executive stated that it wanted “to make sure everything possible is being done to improve the current crisis within our health service”.

“Yet they have failed to bring forward one new proposal to address the mounting issues at hospitals across the north,” he said.

“What we should have been hearing from the executive were interventions around what they planned to do to help burnt-out staff and patients waiting days in emergency departments for treatment.

“They have once again been let down by the executive’s failure to get to grips with this worsening situation.”