Ms Anne O'Connor:

In the past number of weeks, emergency departments have experienced a significant increase in demand but we are relating that pretty much directly to the cyberattack. As GPs do not have access to diagnostics, people are either presenting themselves or are being referred. We have noted a much higher rate of ambulatory care in that people are being discharged home from the emergency department. While attendances have gone up, the admission rate has not changed hugely in many sites. Prior to the cyberattack, the patient flow was much improved. We had seen an increase, but because of the some of the capacity the Deputy referenced earlier in terms of our hospital avoidance measures and egress options, we have seen the lowest ever rate of delayed discharges. There are number of things that were working very well that have been impacted by the cyberattack. We are seeing longer lengths of stay in hospitals and greater numbers of attendances. As we improve the flow again and things settle down post the cyberattack, we would envisage going back to those lower levels.