Antrim Area Hospital activates Critical Incident Management to combat Emergency Department pressures

Antrim Area Hospital Emergency Department

Antrim Area Hospital, under the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, has implemented critical incident management strategies over recent days to address overcrowding in its Emergency Department, as patient demand continues to surge.

In a statement released on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, the Trust confirmed that it has also been supporting regional colleagues by accepting ambulance diverts during an incident within the Southern Trust, highlighting its dual role in managing both local and regional healthcare pressures.

The Trust clarified that the activation of internal critical incident management was not a direct result of the support provided to the Southern Trust. Instead, it was triggered by a sustained build-up of demand over time, with high numbers of patients awaiting beds contributing to overcrowding.

Despite these challenges, Antrim Area Hospital’s Emergency Department continues to operate as normal, with the Trust maintaining close collaboration with regional partners to ensure effective patient care.

“We supported our regional colleagues by accepting ambulance diverts, as appropriate, during the incident within the Southern Trust,” a spokesperson for the Northern Trust stated.

This cooperative effort underscores the Trust’s commitment to supporting Northern Ireland’s Health and Social Care (HSC) system during periods of strain.

Critical Incident Management: A Whole Trust Approach

When faced with extreme pressure, such as overcrowded Emergency Departments due to high patient volumes, the Northern Trust adopts a “whole Trust approach” to manage the situation.

This critical incident management strategy involves coordinating resources across the Trust to alleviate bottlenecks, ensuring that patients receive timely and appropriate care.

The approach is designed to address systemic pressures, such as delays caused by a lack of available beds, which have become a recurring challenge for hospitals across Northern Ireland.

The Trust’s proactive measures come at a time of significant strain across the HSC system, as outlined in the Department of Health’s Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) Service Pressures report.

The report highlights regional challenges, including high patient demand and limited bed availability, which contribute to delays in emergency care. Antrim Area Hospital’s response demonstrates the importance of adaptive strategies in maintaining service continuity under pressure.

Emergency Department Snapshot

The latest data, updated at 12:00pm today, Tuesday 22 September 2025, showed:

• Northern Trust

Total waiting in Emergency Department: 216

Waiting over 12 hours: 73

Number of Patients Waiting for Admission to a Hospital Bed: 81

ED Attendances previous 24hrs (midnight to midnight): 409

• Belfast Trust

Total waiting in Emergency Department: 202

Waiting over 12 hours: 45

Number of Patients Waiting for Admission to a Hospital Bed: 50

ED Attendances previous 24hrs (midnight to midnight): 345

• South Eastern Trust

Total waiting in Emergency Department: 186

Waiting over 12 hours: 54

Number of Patients Waiting for Admission to a Hospital Bed: 57

ED Attendances previous 24hrs (midnight to midnight): 204

• Southern Trust

Total waiting in Emergency Department: 175

Waiting over 12 hours: 51

Number of Patients Waiting for Admission to a Hospital Bed: 47

ED Attendances previous 24hrs (midnight to midnight): 349

• Western Trust

Total waiting in Emergency Department: 162

Waiting over 12 hours: 66

Number of Patients Waiting for Admission to a Hospital Bed: 64

ED Attendances previous 24hrs (midnight to midnight): 248

Northern Trust: Antrim Area and Causeway Hospitals

• Antrim Area Hospital

Total waiting in Emergency Department: 141

Waiting over 12 hours: 45

Number of Patients Waiting for Admission to a Hospital Bed: 51

ED Attendances previous 24hrs (midnight to midnight): 272

• Causeway Hospitals

Total waiting in Emergency Department: 75

Waiting over 12 hours: 28

Number of Patients Waiting for Admission to a Hospital Bed: 30

ED Attendances previous 24hrs (midnight to midnight): 137

Phone First: Easing the Burden on Emergency Services

To reduce unnecessary visits to the Emergency Department and Minor Injuries Unit, the Northern Trust is urging the public to utilise its Phone First service for non-life-threatening conditions.

Available Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm (excluding bank holidays), the service allows patients to speak directly with a triage nurse by calling 0300 123 1 123.

“As always, we would ask anyone thinking of attending the Emergency Department or Minor Injuries Unit with an urgent injury or illness which is not immediately life-threatening to use our Phone First service,” the Trust advised.

For emergencies such as strokes, heart attacks, loss of consciousness, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, or major trauma, the public is reminded to call 999 immediately.

By directing non-emergency cases to the Phone First service, the Trust aims to alleviate pressure on its Emergency Department, ensuring that critical cases receive priority.

Supporting Regional Healthcare Demands

In addition to managing its own challenges, the Northern Trust has played a vital role in supporting the wider HSC system by accepting ambulance diverts from the Southern Trust during a recent incident.

This collaborative effort highlights the interconnected nature of healthcare delivery in Northern Ireland, with Trusts working together to balance patient loads and maintain service quality.

Public Guidance and Next Steps

The Northern Trust encourages the public to use the Phone First service to streamline access to care and reduce strain on hospital resources. By contacting the service, patients can receive professional advice and avoid long waits in the Emergency Department for conditions that may be managed elsewhere.

The Trust reiterated that the service is unavailable on bank holidays, and those experiencing life-threatening emergencies should always dial 999.

As Northern Ireland’s healthcare system navigates ongoing pressures, Antrim Area Hospital’s critical incident management and regional support efforts demonstrate the importance of strategic coordination and public cooperation.

For more details on current HSC system challenges, the public is encouraged to visit the SPPG’s Service Pressures page.