Experience in the accident and emergency department of the Royal Victoria Hospital with patients from civil disturbances in Belfast 1969-1972, with a review of disasters in the United Kingdom 1951-1971

Within a period of 3 years the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, had to use its disaster drill on 46 occasions. On attempting to find the number of disasters in the United Kingdom since the setting up of the National Health Service, records of 42 other disasters were found. Reports of these disasters were studied, the literature in British medical journals was read, and this with personal experience in the Royal Victoria Hospital is the basis of a discussion on disaster planning. Some recommendations are made.