Today (Tuesday 12th December) Isle of Wight NHS Trust has declared a critical incident to protect patient safety, as the hospital and emergency department are full.
Demand for emergency and urgent care is far outstripping the capacity the hospital has, and people are waiting a long time for a bed in the emergency department.
Provide care and support from home
The Trust is calling on the local community to help this situation by taking their relatives or friends home from the hospital as soon as they are declared ready to leave, if they are able to provide care and support from home.
Lauchlan: Every time one patient leaves it helps patients move through the hospital
Victoria Lauchlan, Interim Chief Operating Officer at the Trust said,
“As soon as a person is medically ready to leave hospital, they should be discharged to their place of residence.
“Every time one patient leaves hospital it helps patients move through the hospital to ensure they get the care they need.
“This means the emergency department is free for those that need lifesaving care, and ambulances are able to quickly return to the community to provide emergency support to people.”
Please speak to the team of healthcare professionals on the wards about how you can help and if you can support discharge. If you can collect your loved ones and not rely on the hospital to organise patient transport, this can reduce delays, and be a better experience for your relative or friend.
Parker: We are asking for everyone’s support
Steve Parker, Medical Director added,
“To protect the life-saving services we provide we are asking for everyone’s support including local GPs, care homes and island residents.
“You can help by visiting 111 online or speaking to your pharmacist, GP or practice nurse in the first instance for support with coughs, colds, rashes and diarrhoea and vomiting.
“It’s also really important to keep warm and mobile and drink plenty of fluids as the weather gets colder. We are here if you need us but please be patient as our teams are doing all they can.”
Alloway: We are urging family and friends to help
Dr Lara Alloway, Chief Medical Officer at the NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) said,
“We are working closely with the Isle of Wight NHS Trust and are doing all we can to reduce the pressure on the hospital and its staff.
“We are urging family and friends to help however they can to get people home and out of hospital as soon as possible.”
Article edit
8.25am 13th Dec 2023 – Comment from LA added
News shared by Isle of Wight NHS Trust, in their own words. Ed
