Charities in Northern Ireland said they were “suffering a huge blow” after life-saving kidney transplant operations within the Belfast Health Trust's jurisdiction could not take place over the weekend.
The trust received a healthy kidney from a deceased donor.
However, the request was rejected as the operation could not be carried out without sufficient personnel.
The trust apologised and claimed staff shortages were due to an increase in the number of Covid-19 patients at the hospital.
Patty Gilbert, co-chair of the Northern Ireland Kidney Patients Association, said she was “disheartened” by the situation.
“Needless to say, it's devastating on all fronts and unfortunately we as a kidney community have to face this again,” she said.
“I know the Belfast Trust came under terrible pressure last year and had to suspend operations.
“I hope we don't get to a point where we have to reconsider.
“The pressure our health service is under is such that staff are having to move from the renal service to the ICU (intensive care unit) to look after other seriously ill patients and I find that disheartening.”
