NHS beds are being blocked by “well” patients, new figures show, with three quarters still on wards, adding to hospital pressures. The Telegraph has the story.
Of the 87,775 patients in ward beds as of April 5th, around one in seven (16%, 14,487) had Covid, the highest proportion since February 17th.
But separate figures published on Thursday by NHS England show 71% of patients deemed medically fit to leave remained stuck.
Only 5,178 of the 17,968 deemed medically fit on April 3rd were discharged.
In response to increasing pressures, one NHS boss has asked families to help discharge their loved ones from hospital even if they’re still testing positive.
Dr. Derek Sandeman, Chief Medical Officer for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System (ICS), said staff sickness rates, rising Covid cases and “high numbers” of people needing treatment has created a “perfect storm” across the region.
If hospitals are ‘under pressure’, as was reported this week, then rather than telling sick people to stay away, promptly moving well people on would seem a good place to start.
Worth reading in full.
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