Hospital hopes pressure will ease within 48 hours

The chief nurse of a Kent hospital which declared a critical incident saying all its beds were occupied says it is hoped pressures will ease in the next 24 to 48 hours.

East Kent Hospitals NHS declared a critical incident on Monday and warned anyone going to the William Harvey Hospital, in Ashford, to be ready for an "extremely long wait".

Speaking to BBC Radio Kent, Sarah Hayes, chief nursing and midwifery officer, said demand had increased over the past few days and the trust was beginning to see some patients with flu and other seasonal infections.

She said all beds were occupied by patients who needed care and emergency departments were seeing more people arriving for treatment.

Hayes said services faced more pressures as winter approached, adding: "We're starting to head into the flu season, so we're starting to see some people with flu and other infections coming in.

"So more pressure on our emergency department, more people attending there, but also people who need to stay in our beds probably longer who are more unwell, she told the BBC.

"We obviously can't discharge people until we need to. There are some people who can go home and therefore we're working really hard with our other colleagues across Kent and Medway to get those people home."

Hayes said the critical incident allowed the trust to work with partners across Kent and Medway to help discharge patients who were ready to leave hospital and free up capacity.

"We always plan in the NHS," she said, but added: "When we get to this particular surge situation, we need to manage that very carefully."

She urged people to continue attending planned appointments and operations unless contacted directly by the trust, and said anyone with a genuine emergency should still seek treatment.

Hayes encouraged people to use NHS 111, pharmacies and GPs, but said: "If you need to come in, you must come in."

The trust reviews the situation every two hours. Hayes said it was hoped pressures would ease within 24 to 48 hours.

The trust previously urged people to visit A&E only if had a life-threatening illness or injury, or are collecting someone being discharged.

"We are currently reviewing patients scheduled for planned procedures and appointments," the spokesperson said.

"Unless you hear from us directly, please assume your procedure or appointment will go ahead."

The trust said that staff were focused on helping patients most in need.

Declaring a critical incident helped to "keep patients safe by drawing on additional support from our colleagues across the health system".

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