Unprecedented winter pressures saw A&E in the Royal Victoria Infirmary He has his busiest day this week.
Monday saw most of the people in total – and most of the children – through the doors of the newcastle Registered A&E Department. According to the emergency medicine consultant, Mr. Sohom Maitra, a total of 569 patients attended the department, of which 197 were children.
This breaks the previous record, which was set in October of last year. Maitra said that “presentations of viral diseases to [paediatric A&E]” had been “shot up” for the past six weeks. He said the “vast majority,” especially those under two, were discharged because they only needed calpol or ibuprofen. He said there was an issue around “access” to National Health Service support and a “huge” desire for face-to-face attention.
He said this had preceded media coverage of the increase in Invasive group A strep cases. The record number only includes RVI attendees, and not anyone who has gone to one of Newcastle’s urgent treatment centers (UTC) on Westgate Road, Molineux Street or Ponteland Road.
Last month, give me Jackie Daniel – the chief executive of Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs RVI, Freeman and UTC, has warned that almost 20% more people went to A&E in Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary in October compared to the same month before the pandemic.
In a report to the trust board, he also highlighted that there were also significantly more ambulances arriving at the hospital and fewer free beds for patients than in the months before the Covid-19 hit. Dame Jackie’s report warned of “more challenges” facing the NHS this winter.
She said: “While the November weather may have been unseasonably mild, the start of winter pressures across the NHS has already been very much in evidence.”
At the regional level, NHS chiefs have also discussed how the health service is working with local councils, healthcare providers and community and voluntary services to mitigate the huge demand for healthcare this winter. This has involved increasing the number of appointments with GPs, setting up an “enhanced virtual data control center” that uses evidence to “see where hospitals can benefit from mutual aid, or if ambulances can be diverted to another nearby hospital.” with more beds”.
Dr Neil O’Brien, Executive Medical Director of the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said: “Everyone knows the pressures that health and care services face, so it is vital that Let’s work together to take action to address the challenges we face.” this winter.
“As a system, we have prioritized three key actions for this winter to help make a difference. We continue to focus resources and work with partners on enhanced clinical triage of 111 and 999 calls so we can direct patients to care Evidence shows that this can have the greatest impact, as well as linking to rapid community services to help and support patients in their own homes.
“We are improving access to GP services with more evening and weekend appointments and supporting treatment of minor illnesses in pharmacies. We are also taking steps to improve patient discharge to ensure they receive care they need in the right place at the right time.”
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