Five high dependency beds at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast have been out of use for the past two months, the hospital has confirmed.

A shortage of nurses has been blamed and the hospital has stressed that its 14 intensive care beds continue to operate.

The high dependency beds are intended for patients who may not need intensive care but require more support than is available in an ordinary hospital ward.

It has emerged that these five beds were taken out of use in early March.

A review of the province's need for intensive care and high dependency beds nearly two years ago recommended a substantial uplift, including the five-bedded high dependency unit at the Royal.

The review said: "Plans should be put in place now and funding identified to ensure that there will be sufficient trained nursing staff in post when the new intensive care unit in the Royal opens in two years' time."