The A&E area of the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen RMG19
Twelve new nursing staff and an extra medical consultant have been recruited to the South West Acute Hospital’s Emergency Department in preparation for the increasing amount of pressure expected over the winter months.
The move comes as attendances at the hospital’s A&E department have increased by 6% on last year.
The Western Trust says that SWAH experienced the biggest surge in demand within their region. Between November 2015 and September of this year, an additional 3,387 patients attended, up 12.4% on the same period the previous year. The ED also saw a 32% increase in GP referrals with 1,275 patients presenting at A&E.
Staff have been gearing up all year for the busy winter period and its increased ailments including coughs and colds, the flu and Norovirus (winter vomiting virus), all of which are spread easily.
The Trust has decided that rather than basing its Winter Plan on creating additional bed capacity at SWAH, it will instead develop a plan focusing on both hospital and community-based measures. These include new staff rotas with additional hours, reducing the length of patient stays, improving the discharge process with expected dates, admission avoidance and expanding alternatives to hospital care through increased investment in community equipment. However an escalation plan will be put in place should demand rise above previous levels. The NI Ambulance Service have also implemented a new Falls Pathway, allowing patients to have follow-up care within the community rather than in the ED.
Geraldine McKay, Director of Acute Hospitals is encouraging people to stay away from A&E this winter unless it is an emergency. She is urging the public to use other resources in the community such as a pharmacist or GP surgery.
She said: “There are other avenues for those who are unwell before they present at the emergency department but obviously anyone in dire straits must attend. Patients will still get the best treatment in the shortest possible time and this means keeping emergency health services available for emergencies and life-threatening conditions.”
The Trust’s ‘Stay Well this Winter’ campaign allows patients who may not need to visit A&E to choose the right service.
The move comes as attendances at the hospital’s A&E department have increased by 6% on last year.
The Western Trust says that SWAH experienced the biggest surge in demand within their region. Between November 2015 and September of this year, an additional 3,387 patients attended, up 12.4% on the same period the previous year. The ED also saw a 32% increase in GP referrals with 1,275 patients presenting at A&E.
Staff have been gearing up all year for the busy winter period and its increased ailments including coughs and colds, the flu and Norovirus (winter vomiting virus), all of which are spread easily.
The Trust has decided that rather than basing its Winter Plan on creating additional bed capacity at SWAH, it will instead develop a plan focusing on both hospital and community-based measures. These include new staff rotas with additional hours, reducing the length of patient stays, improving the discharge process with expected dates, admission avoidance and expanding alternatives to hospital care through increased investment in community equipment. However an escalation plan will be put in place should demand rise above previous levels. The NI Ambulance Service have also implemented a new Falls Pathway, allowing patients to have follow-up care within the community rather than in the ED.
Geraldine McKay, Director of Acute Hospitals is encouraging people to stay away from A&E this winter unless it is an emergency. She is urging the public to use other resources in the community such as a pharmacist or GP surgery.
She said: “There are other avenues for those who are unwell before they present at the emergency department but obviously anyone in dire straits must attend. Patients will still get the best treatment in the shortest possible time and this means keeping emergency health services available for emergencies and life-threatening conditions.”
The Trust’s ‘Stay Well this Winter’ campaign allows patients who may not need to visit A&E to choose the right service.
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
Posted: 5:03 pm December 15, 2016