The Trust needs to reshape its hospitals and other services on a temporary basis to maximise our ability to manage the surge in demand due to COVID-19.
The following services will temporarily close from 8am on Monday 30 March 2020:
- The Emergency Department (ED)
- Minor Injuries Unit (MIU)
- Day Procedure Unit (DPU) – routine and urgent day surgery and endoscopy services
- Outpatients Department
Services which remain open in the Downe Hospital
- All inpatient wards, also supported by the Enhanced Care at Home service and the Frail Elderly Assessment Services
- Downe Midwifery Led Unit will continue to provide community midwifery services, though not birthing
- The GP Out of Hours service will continue to provide services as normal, with the same ability to admit patients. This will need to be regularly reviewed as GP services in their entirety come under increasing pressure
- Acute Mental Health and Psychiatry of Old Age inpatients
What to do if you are unwell
During these temporary changes, the community is asked to:
- Contact your GP if you are unwell
- If you are seriously ill, attend the Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald
- In an emergency, contact the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service by dialling 999
Any patients with an outpatient appointment in the Downe Hospital will be contacted directly.