Hospitals in east London are seeing “record numbers” of patients, amid what the NHS calls “significant pressure”, writes local democracy reporter Sebastian Mann.
The seven Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Trust (BHRUT) hospitals saw 1,003 patients in a single day in November, its highest ever recorded number.
The situation at Queen’s Hospital in Romford has been “particularly challenging,” according to an NHS report published this week.
The A&E department – which is more than two decades old – was designed for just 325 patients a day, but BHRUT says it sees “more than double this every day in a badly laid out, overcrowded department”.
“This has meant some A&E patients are unfortunately receiving care in our corridors,” the report says, and staff are prioritising the “most unwell, so people who aren’t acutely unwell have very long waits”.
“While not ideal, we would rather bring patients into hospital to be treated than have them wait outside in ambulances.
“It’s why we’re campaigning for £35million to redevelop the department.”
Matthew Trainer, BHRUT’s chief executive, said last year the £35m would fix the department’s “inadequate” layout, improve patient care and working conditions, and “end the indignity of corridor care”.
However, its financial ambitions will need to be balanced against stringent cuts demanded by the government.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said in May that the NHS needed to “spend money more wisely,”
In reality, these cuts will mean axing 700 jobs and restricting access to patient care.
In a bid to reduce pressure more immediately, the trust will look to review its procedures to free up beds and discharge patients quicker.
The report outlines plans to “reduce unnecessary extra inpatient stays overnight and help patients leave hospital as soon as it is safe for them to do so,” while operational staff will be involved in ward rounds to “help identify and prevent potential delays in patient discharges”.
The trust is also looking to set up monthly meetings with the Metropolitan Police, social services and the London Ambulance Service to “agree a strategy to respond appropriately to children and young people who end up in our A&Es when they are in crisis, or their placement has broken down”.
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