AQW 10404/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 17/11/2020
Answered On Date: 16/12/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health what COVID-19 treatment-related improvements have been made to hospital intensive care units since March 2020, in terms of procedure, staffing and medical equipment procurement and provision.

Answer:

The Critical Care Network NI (CCANNI) has worked collaboratively with HSC Trusts to identify the necessary resources to meet the increased demand for critical care services as a result of COVID-19. This has included estimating and procuring the necessary infrastructure, staffing and equipment and was achieved through the development of COVID-19 specific Surge Plans.

A number of procedures have been introduced to help manage the increase in ICU patients, including the sharing of regional situation reports and the development of a regional dashboard to help collate and share regional data to provide oversight and help manage pressures.

A total of over £9 million has been invested in equipment, with allocation and commissioning into receiving Trusts enabling immediate use to respond to additional demand that has presented, for both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 critical care patients.

Significant redeployment and training of staff from across HSC has been undertaken to ensure the requirements of those most in need of critical care are met; however, the availability of staff has been one for the biggest challenges for HSC and has had a significant impact on other services.