Consideration should be given to changes to ED service provision and designation when making comparisons over time, including the provision of new urgent and emergency care services. Further details of these changes are detailed in the additional guidance document.
The new electronic patient record system encompass was first introduced in the South Eastern Health and Social (HSC) Trust on 9th November 2023, the Belfast HSC Trust on 6th June 2024, the Northern HSC Trust on 7th November 2024, and the Southern and Western HSC Trusts on 8th May 2025. Figures sourced from encompass are considered to be ‘official statistics in development’. While caution must be exercised when using these figures, they are of sufficient quality for publication and use.
Urgent Care Centres are reported as Type 3 emergency departments. Only total attendance figures without additional breakdowns are available from Craigavon and Daisy Hill UCCs, as these services’ data is not on encompass.