St Mary’s Hospital is asking for support from all its partners, together with Island residents, to get people home as quickly as possible.
The Island’s Director of Nursing has issued a plea for families to work together with the Trust to ensure their loved ones get to spend Christmas out of hospital.
Teams across the hospital and in the community are working hard to discharge patients who are ready to leave but the initiative will only work with the cooperation of families and friends.
Pearce: Our teams are working extremely hard
Juliet Pearce, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied health Professionals, said:
“We are continuing to see more people arrive at the hospital than leave, and many of the people arriving in our emergency department urgently need hospital care.
“Our teams are working extremely hard to find beds for everyone and we are working with our colleagues in social care and voluntary care to safely discharge those patients who no longer need specialist hospital care.
“When a person stays in hospital for longer than they need to, it increases their risk of picking up other illnesses. For older people, spending long periods of time in a bed can affect their muscle strength and mobility, increase their risk of falls and can often cause confusion due to the changes in environment, as well as affect their motivation and mood so it’s really important to get people back into their own settings.
“Our Island community continues to pull together and support local NHS services and we are really grateful for their understanding and patience.”
Collect relatives, where possible
Families with loved ones in hospital are being asked to collect their relatives, where possible, to enable the Hospital Patient Transport Service to support people who do not have alternative transport arrangements in place.
The Living Well and Early Help Service supports members of the community seeking advice, guidance or support on any issue. You can call the helpline on 01983 240732 from 9am to 5pm or email: [email protected]
Islanders can continue to help local NHS services by:
- Thinking about the most appropriate NHS service for your needs and only call 999 in the event of a life-threatening illness or injury.
- Visiting NHS 111 online or calling NHS 111 for heath advice, or alternatively contact your local pharmacist or GP.
- Calling NHS 111 or visiting www.iwmentalhealth.co.uk if you, or someone you know, is in need of mental health support
- If you have diarrhoea or vomiting stay at home until you are 48 hours clear of symptoms
- Download the Healthier Together app for advice if you have children or carer responsibilities. The app can help you decide whether you can self-care at home or if you need help and which service is best for the needs of children aged up to 18. It also provides advice and guidance for pregnant women.
- Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu if you are eligible and have not yet taken up the offer. Visit www.nhs.uk/wintervaccination to find out more
- Supporting friends, family and neighbours with keeping warm, shopping and collecting prescriptions if needed over the winter months
News shared by Isle of Wight NHS Trust, in their own words. Ed
