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'We're at breaking point' - says ED doctor

Dr Corrigan Dr Corrigan looks down the lens of the camera, she has shoulder length brown hair. She is wearing a blue jumper with a pink stethoscope and black lanyard around her neck. Dr Corrigan
Dr Corrigan has worked in emergency departments for 14 years

Emergency departments (EDs) in Northern Ireland are at breaking point, a medic has said.

The deputy chair of the British Medical Association in Northern Ireland, Dr Clodagh Corrigan, has been working in EDs for the last 14 years.

She told BBC News NI this winter had been very stressful and pressure had not "let off".

Figures from New Year's Eve show that more than half of the 892 people who attended emergency departments had to endure a wait of more than 12 hours.

Dr Corrigan said the impact of winter pressures has filled staff with fear for the weeks ahead.

The Department for Health said there was "a serious mismatch between current capacity and demand for care."

'It is scary'

A graphic showing that of the 892 people who attended emergency departments on New Year's Eve had to endure a wait of more than 12 hours.

"We say it every year but it's never been as bad, morale has never been as low in the departments I've worked in, in my entire career," Dr Corrigan said.

Almost 400 people were waiting for a hospital bed in Northern Ireland last week.

Flu and respiratory infections have been affecting many people with some requiring hospital treatment.

Dr Corrigan said: "We have seen a huge increase in flu patients. In my own department we had 11 or 12 flu positive patients waiting on the ward which leaves us very tight because, if you have flu, we can't move you to make space for other patients."

She said she expected a spike in flu and Covid-19.

Dr Corrigan explained that the lack of flow throughout hospitals is having a big impact on emergency departments.

'Where am I going to see my next patient?'

Getty Images A female doctor, pictured from the neck down, in blue scrubs with stethoscope around her neckGetty Images
Dr Corrigan says doctors are anticipating the situation getting worse over the next few weeks

She said the pressure was "building" and morale was at an "all time low".

"The pressure just hasn't let off, we have seen what we would call winter pressure numbers in the summer but now we have seen that doubling. There has been no respite this year," she added.

"When we come onto shift multiple ambulances are parked, usually police cars, a full waiting room, people standing, no space," she said.

"The challenge is - where am I going to see my next patient?

Dr Corrigan said doctors were anticipating the situation over the next few weeks getting worse.

"I don't know how the system will cope. We are at breaking point and I don't see how we can get out of it," she said.

"It is scary and it is worrying, it makes going into work everyday difficult."

The Department for Health reiterated its apology to all patients waiting longer than they should and said "services remain under intense pressure" across Northern Ireland.

The department also said: "longer term solutions require sustained reform and investment to increase capacity and improve services".

"Neighbouring health services are facing similar pressures," it continued.

You can listen to Dr Corrigan's interview on Evening Extra.