Belfast operations scaled back over coronavirus

Available for over a year

The Belfast Health Trust is to start scaling back some planned operations to help cope with the coronavirus outbreak. BBC News NI understands that the Mater Hospital is cancelling most elective surgery from today in order to free up hospital beds and staff. Health trusts in NI are starting to plan ahead for what is likely to be the start of a surge of coronavirus cases. Meanwhile NHS England says it is scaling up its capacity for testing people for the infection. It means 10,000 tests a day can be done - 8,000 more than the 1,500 being carried out currently. Confirmation of any positive test results will be accelerated, helping people take the right action to recover or quickly get treatment. Northern Ireland is expected to roll out their own testing services, but there will be some shared capacity between nations, depending on need. But what capacity does NI have to increase testing? Stephen spoke to GP Dr George O'Neill and Pauline Shepherd Chief Executive, Independent Care Providers.