Statement by South Antrim TUV Representative Richard Cairns:
“The Department of Health statistics on emergency waiting times across Northern Ireland have given rise to a great deal of concern. Comparing November 2014 to November 2015 on average those waiting for more than 12 hours have doubled, but shockingly at Antrim Area Hospital those waiting for over 12 hours have increased by 1207% in 2015.
“In 2014 there were 13 patients who had to wait more than 12 hours, but in 2015 this has jumped to 170 patients. That is not acceptable.
“That is a shocking state of affairs that patients have had to endure this year. The stress on the system at Antrim Area needs addressed. In the same period the Royal Victoria Hospital has witnessed a marked improvement. Those lessons learned from the RVH need now be applied to Antrim Area.
“TUV has consistently highlighted the fact that there has been a reduction in bed numbers, not just in Antrim but across Northern Ireland.
“It stands to reason that if the number of beds is reduced waiting times will naturally increase. The policy of running down essential services in this way while millions are squandered on maintaining a more expensive benefits system in Northern Ireland than other parts of the U.K. must end”.