'Caring for patients in corridors is not what we signed up for', health union says

Health unions have warned that "patients being cared for in corridors is not what our members signed up for".

It comes after widespread reports of patients on trollies, overcrowded cubicles and long waits for admission and treatment in Northern Ireland's acute hospitals.

MLAs have called an emergency meeting to discuss ongoing pressures on staff and patient care.

Conor McCarthy, Unison, highlights that current pressures are "not a surprise".

He said: "It is completely unacceptable at the minute with regards to patient care.

"Patients being cared for in corridors is not what our members signed up for.

"Our wards are packed with patients who should be at home, who should be discharged but they are being cared for on wards.

"Social care is being delivered in acute hospitals. If we are going to change this, we need real reform in social care."

Stormont's Health Committee will meet on Tuesday 7 January. The Minister is expected to provide an update to members on waiting times.

Committee Chair Liz Kimmins has said the Executive needs to offer reassurance to staff and the public that solutions can be found.

"We need to give the public and staff confidence that work is ongoing to try and alleviate these pressures.

"We know we cannot fix everything but we want to work collaboratively with them and the Department to find solutions in the short, medium and long term to improve and enhance our health service.

"Patients need to be seen and need to be treated in a timely manner and staff also need to be supported at this really critical time.

"As a Health Committee, that is our role. To scrutinise what is happening, what work is being done to deal with the issues our health service and particularly our hospitals are facing."

There is widespread concern that mounting pressures will have a devastating impact on staffing levels.

"Morale is at an all-time low. Staff are trying their best to care in the most difficult of circumstances.

"We are in a period where we are seeing high vacancies in staffing as it is. We do not want anything that may lead to further vacancies because of the huge pressures staff are facing.

"We have a very resiliant work force and we want to ensure that they know they are being supported.

"The importance of having the Minister in front of the Committee [on 7 January] is to get that message out there that we are doing everything we can to support them and support patients."

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