Hospital capacity could be 'compromised' amid surge in Covid-19 cases
A Midlands hospital boss has warned capacity could soon be “compromised” as the number of Covid-19 patients continues to increase.
Professor David Loughton, chief executive of the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said he expects New Cross Hospital to see a peak in cases in the next two to three weeks.
He added that there were 200 coronavirus patients at the Wolverhampton hospital last night, but numbers would rise.
It is a trend being experienced across the region. Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust says it has now exceeded the number of Covid patients seen in the April and November peaks. Stafford’s County Hospital said it was experiencing a “significant increase” in patients.
Meanwhile, West Midlands Ambulance Service said it saw its busiest day on record on Monday, with 5,383 emergency 999 calls received. The demand was more than 30 per cent higher than the same day last year and paramedics were forced to queue at hospital A&E departments in the region.
It comes after the the UK’s chief medical officer said parts of the NHS are now under “immense pressure” – while the Office for National Statistics revealed that one in 65 people in the West Midlands currently have the virus.
Professor Loughton said: “The number of people being admitted to New Cross with Covid-19 is ramping up enormously and I don’t think we’ve seen the full impact of the contacts made over the Christmas period.
“Today’s Covid-19 rate and infections in community is the order book for intensive care in two weeks time because there is usually a two-week lag between someone getting the virus and coming into hospital.
Important
"We have around 200 Covid-19 patients at New Cross at the moment and our capacity will soon be compromised; we can look at what is happening in the South East of England and it is reasonable to think that we are moving in the same direction in terms of numbers, and so I expect we will hit our peak in the next 14 to 21 days.
"A&E is under enormous pressure but it is important, if you are in need of health advice, that you do contact the NHS. We are asking that people continue to attend for booked appointments but before you travel to our A&E department, please call NHS 111 or go online.
“If you need to be seen in A&E they will be able to book you a time slot and that will help take pressure off the department which is dealing with critically ill patients. Help us to help you get the treatment you need.”
Dr David Carruthers, acting chief executive at the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, said: “We have seen an increase in the number of patients being treated within our critical care unit.
"As a result we have expanded the area so that we are able to treat more patients with the virus who need intensive care.
"The trust has now exceeded the number of Covid patients seen in the April and November peaks.
"Our hospitals continue to be busy and we are seeing increasing numbers of patients with Covid-19 who need admitting to hospital. All our clinical teams are working hard to ensure our patients receive the best care possible.
"We would strongly urge everyone to follow the restrictions so that we can reduce the spread of the virus. This includes staying at home, other than for essential purposes, wearing a face covering in enclosed public spaces, observing social distancing and frequent and thorough handwashing.
Significant
“We are working in partnership with other hospitals to help manage the increasing number of patients requiring admission through our emergency departments.”
A spokesman for the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which runs County Hospital in Stafford and Royal Stoke University Hospital, added: “The rise in Covid-19 cases in Staffordshire has meant that the trust has seen a significant increase in the number of patients with Covid-19 being cared for in its hospitals.
"This is a situation which is constantly under review and we want to reassure our communities that our hospitals are safe and it is extremely important that anyone with significant health concerns continues to come to us for help.
“It is really important that everyone plays their part in helping to limit the spread of infection and follow the lockdown guidance to stay at home and remember hands, face, space.”
A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “A combination of Covid-19 and winter weather has resulted in hospitals being extremely busy which unfortunately resulted in hospital handover delays.
"We work closely with the hospitals to try to ensure our crews are able to handover patients quickly and safely, but due to the extremely high demand some patients did wait longer to be handed over than we would normally see.
"The public can help us to maintain services by observing social distancing and the hands, face, space advice.”
