Belfast Children's Hospital POSTPONES all routine procedures to deal with "significant pressures"
The Trust say the "number of children attending the Emergency Department with symptoms of bacterial and viral infections has increased."
"In a Statement the Trust said: The Children’s Hospital continues to experience very significant pressures with a total of 214 children attending the department yesterday. The number of children attending the Emergency Department with symptoms of bacterial and viral infections has increased.
"Unfortunately, we have taken the very difficult decision to postpone all routine procedures at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children to allow our staff to care for those children with serious or time critical illness at this time. We appreciate how difficult this will be for families and children and we apologise for the distress this may cause.
"We understand that parents may be very concerned if their child is experiencing symptoms of infection. We would encourage all parents to check the Belfast Trust online symptom checker where you can find quick, informative and trust worthy information about how to care for your child at home, support available from local pharmacies and GPs and when to bring your child to hospital. You can find the Symptom Checker on www.belfasttrust.hscni.net or alternatively visit the Public Health Agency website at www.publichealth.hscni.net for advice on managing group A strep infections."