23/10/2025
The Western Trust is asking families for support to help with ongoing delayed patient discharges in our hospitals as follows:
If you or a loved one is deemed medically fit for discharge, we ask you to work with our Hospital Discharge Teams to facilitate discharge in a safe and timely manner to free up beds for those who need them most.
At present, there are 60 patients awaiting admission from Altnagelvin Hospital Emergency Department to an already full hospital for further investigations or treatment. There are presently 62 medically fit patients on wards currently delayed for discharge.
Similarly, there are 25 patients in South West Acute Hospital Emergency Department awaiting admission, with 94 medically fit patients on wards currently delayed for discharge.
It is vital that those who are ready for home are discharged at the earliest possible opportunity. This may include going home with a partial care package in place, or awaiting the commencement of a care package. It may also include going to an alternative care setting, including a rehab facility, as part of a patient’s planned care or to wait for care a patient requires. If this is the case, then our Community Social Work Teams will continue to work with you following discharge from hospital to ensure your critical care needs are met.
Delayed discharges are detrimental to the wellbeing of the patient, both medically and mentally.
If you have any queries around discharge of a family member or loved one, our Hospital Discharge Teams are contactable via the switchboard at our three acute hospital sites: Altnagelvin Hospital 028 71345171; South West Acute Hospital 028 66382000; Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex 028 833100.
We thank you for your ongoing support of our staff as we try to provide the best possible level of care to all those who need it.