Gareth Wilson MLA raises alarm over 12-hour waits at Daisy Hill and Craigavon hospitals

Gareth Wilson MLA has expressed concern following the publication of the latest emergency department waiting time statistics, which show significant numbers of patients facing lengthy waits at both Daisy Hill Hospital and Craigavon Area Hospital. According to the figures, 869 patients at Daisy Hill and 2,001 patients at Craigavon waited more than 12 hours in emergency departments during September, with performance worsening compared to the same period last year.

The statistics also show increasing demand across both hospitals, with attendances rising year-on-year. For residents across the Armagh district, who rely heavily on both facilities, the figures have raised fresh concerns about healthcare capacity ahead of the winter period.

Commenting on the statistics, Mr Wilson said: "These figures make for deeply concerning reading and will undoubtedly worry many patients and families across our area who rely on our emergency services when they are at their most vulnerable. Nearly 900 patients waited more than 12 hours in Daisy Hill's Emergency Department in a single month, while more than 2,000 waited over 12 hours at Craigavon. Those are not figures anyone should be content with. Behind every statistic is a patient who may be in pain, distress or uncertainty, and staff who are working under immense pressure to provide care in increasingly challenging circumstances.”

"My concern is that these figures come before the full impact of winter pressures is felt. Demand is already rising, and history tells us that emergency departments and hospital bed capacity face even greater strain during the winter months. Particularly concerning is the additional pressure being placed on hospital capacity across the Southern Trust arising from the ongoing suspension of maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital. When services are centralised elsewhere, it inevitably creates knock-on demands throughout the wider hospital system and places further pressure on already stretched beds and resources.”

"We need to see every possible effort made to improve patient flow, increase bed capacity where appropriate, support frontline staff and ensure that patients can access the care they need without enduring excessive waits. This winter will be a real test for the new Health Minister. It is vital that we see lessons learned from last year's winter pressures, yet the early indications are not looking promising.”

"Our healthcare workers continue to do an exceptional job under very difficult circumstances, but they cannot be expected to carry the burden of growing demand and system pressures alone. These figures should serve as a warning that urgent action is required before winter pressures deepen an already challenging situation."