Emergency departments: ‘We’re at breaking point,’ says NI doctor

She said the pressure was “building” and morale was at an “all time low”.

“The pressure just hasn’t let off, we have seen what we would call winter pressure numbers in the summer but now we have seen that doubling. There has been no respite this year,” she added.

“When we come onto shift multiple ambulances are parked, usually police cars, a full waiting room, people standing, no space,” she said.

“The challenge is – where am I going to see my next patient?

Dr Corrigan said doctors were anticipating the situation over the next few weeks getting worse.

“I don’t know how the system will cope. We are at breaking point and I don’t see how we can get out of it,” she said.

“It is scary and it is worrying, it makes going into work everyday difficult.”

The Department for Health reiterated its apology to all patients waiting longer than they should and said “services remain under intense pressure” across Northern Ireland.

The department also said: “longer term solutions require sustained reform and investment to increase capacity and improve services”.

“Neighbouring health services are facing similar pressures,” it continued.

You can listen to Dr Corrigan’s interview on Evening Extra.