Flu leads to postponed operations

Higher than expected levels of flu cases in Northern Ireland have led to an increased number of patients being admitted to hospital with respiratory problems. Many are elderly and vulnerable and require treatment in either intensive care or high dependency units.

As a result of the increase in emergency admissions, a small number of certain types of operations have had to be temporarily postponed. Routine operations, where admission to an intensive care bed is not required, are being carried out as normal.

Dr Tony Stevens, Medical Director of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust explained. “This forms part of our normal contingency arrangements”, he said. “There has been a higher than expected number of flu cases in Northern Ireland in recent weeks and this has resulted in more vulnerable people being admitted to hospital for treatment and care.” Dr Stephens added

“We are hopeful that this will be a short term problem and that Intensive Care and High Dependency beds can be freed up soon, allowing us to resume the postponed procedures”, he said