Chief executive Mike Pollard acknowledged that some patients failed to be seen within Health and Social Services’ four-hour maximum waiting target.
‘The department had to treat and care for a higher than average number of trauma patients.
The difficulty was compounded by a number of other complex cases, including a drug overdose,’ said Mr Pollard.
This situation came at a time when over recent weeks there had been a gradual increase in patient attendances at Accident and Emergency.
Mr Pollard said the extra delay caused to those waiting was necessary as doctors and nurses had to prioritise patients whose conditions were the most serious.
