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Fracture victim's six-day op wait Fracture victim's six-day op wait
(about 3 hours later)
A County Antrim hurling player whose kneecap was broken during a club game has been waiting six days for an operation.A County Antrim hurling player whose kneecap was broken during a club game has been waiting six days for an operation.
James McAuley from Ballyvoy - who plays for the Carey Faughs club - has been waiting since Saturday to undergo surgery at Altnagelvin Hospital.James McAuley from Ballyvoy - who plays for the Carey Faughs club - has been waiting since Saturday to undergo surgery at Altnagelvin Hospital.
The hospital blamed a short fall in resources for the delay. The hospital blamed a shortfall in resources for the delay.
Mr McAuley said he still did not know when he would be called for his operation.Mr McAuley said he still did not know when he would be called for his operation.
He was initially taken to the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine, but has since been discharged and spent Wednesday night on his living floor waiting to be seen in Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry. He was initially taken to the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine, but has since been discharged and spent Wednesday night on his livingroom floor waiting to be seen in Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry.
SDLP assembly member John Dallat said it was an "absolute horror story" and this was not the first one.SDLP assembly member John Dallat said it was an "absolute horror story" and this was not the first one.
"There have been many other casualties," he said."There have been many other casualties," he said.
"Most of them are elderly who are severely traumatised after spending a week in Coleraine hospital without the help they need.""Most of them are elderly who are severely traumatised after spending a week in Coleraine hospital without the help they need."
John Dallat said it was a "horror story"John Dallat said it was a "horror story"
"There is a serious problem and it needs to be sorted out.""There is a serious problem and it needs to be sorted out."
Mr Dallat said the Causeway hospital had not the resources to deal with the problem. Mr Dallat said the Causeway Hospital did not have the resources to deal with the problem.
"There is either a resource or logistical problem that is preventing the people in the Causeway getting the beds when they need them," he said."There is either a resource or logistical problem that is preventing the people in the Causeway getting the beds when they need them," he said.
Sarah Groogan, directorate manager of surgery at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry, said there were difficulties in trying to meet hospital targets.Sarah Groogan, directorate manager of surgery at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry, said there were difficulties in trying to meet hospital targets.
"There is a shortage in orthopaedic surgeons and in nurses and in beds to facilitate this service. We are working very closely with the Department of Health in resolving this situation," she said."There is a shortage in orthopaedic surgeons and in nurses and in beds to facilitate this service. We are working very closely with the Department of Health in resolving this situation," she said.
"We are in the process of recruiting additional nurses and an additional consultant to Altnagelvin and in the next few months, we should have additional beds open.""We are in the process of recruiting additional nurses and an additional consultant to Altnagelvin and in the next few months, we should have additional beds open."
She said consultants were doing extra work in terms of clearing waiting lists, but additional consultants, theatre sessions and beds were needed.She said consultants were doing extra work in terms of clearing waiting lists, but additional consultants, theatre sessions and beds were needed.
Peter Watson, divisional manager of Head and Skeletal at the Royal Group of Hospitals said: There are patients who are having to wait for their surgery. Any delay is unacceptable to them, their families, and to our doctors and nurses." Peter Watson, divisional manager of Head and Skeletal at the Royal Group of Hospitals said: "There are patients who are having to wait for their surgery. Any delay is unacceptable to them, their families, and to our doctors and nurses."
Mr Watson said that he and his colleagues were working with the Department of Health to improve the situation.Mr Watson said that he and his colleagues were working with the Department of Health to improve the situation.
Waiting listWaiting list
Health service figures show more than 60 people are waiting for emergency fracture surgery in hospitals across Northern Ireland.Health service figures show more than 60 people are waiting for emergency fracture surgery in hospitals across Northern Ireland.
In a statement, the Department of Health said that because of pressures, some patients had to wait longer than desirable for their treatment.In a statement, the Department of Health said that because of pressures, some patients had to wait longer than desirable for their treatment.