‘It feels like winter 365 days a year’, say Isle of Wight health bosses as pressures on services continue into spring.
The Isle of Wight council’s director of adult social care, Laura Gaudion, said there had been a substantial increase in demand over the winter, which has had a knock-on effect on other services.
Cattell: Demand not reducing
This was echoed by the chief executive of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust who said winter pressure points had caused the trust to declare numerous critical incidents.
Darren Cattell said the problem now is demand doesn’t seem to be reducing, with high levels of pressure seemingly staying all-year round.
Gaudion: Never enough money for long-term solutions
Speaking at the council’s health and scrutiny committee, Ms Gaudion said the issue remains that the authority never has sufficient money available to create innovative plans or long-term solutions.
As winter-specific funding reduces, Mr Cattell said the health partners would need to work out how they deliver safe and effective services together.
Shortage of workers
Another issue is the shortage of workers on the Island, which is so significant, Ms Gaudion said, the ability to meet needs is often challenged.
Schemes brought in during the winter to help offset the demand included re-opening Bluebells Care Home in Ventnor; additional home care teams and efforts focused on hospital discharge.
Programme review
A review of the programmes implemented over the winter is taking place, Ms Gaudion said, which will show what has and has not worked and what should be taken forward, should funding allow.
Dr Michele Legg, clinical director for the Isle of Wight in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System, said it had been a challenging season with a lot of viral infections, covid and flu but without the plans, it would have been much more difficult.
Health services have shared the burden
By working together this winter, she said the health services had shared the burden with limited resources.
A workforce board has also been set up across health partners to address recruitment and retention challenges.
It’s hoped this will build the Island’s resilience in the health and social care sector.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: Luke Jones under CC BY 2.0
