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07

Dec 2021

Health
Health

Under pressure Harrogate hospital apologises for delays

Published: 7 Dec 2021, 14:29 GMT

by Connor Creaghan

Comment

0

A combination of coronavirus patients needing care for longer and a shortage of home care delaying discharges means the hospital has the highest number of longer stay patients so far this year.

harrogate-district-hospital-2
Harrogate District Hospital.

Harrogate District Hospital has apologised for delays faced by patients and outlined the pressures staff are facing at the start of a busy winter period.

The plea for understanding came after a difficult weekend, which culminated in the hospital urging those with less severe illness or injury to go to Ripon Community Hospital.

A combination of coronavirus patients needing care for longer and issues discharging patients means the hospital has the highest number of longer stay patients so far this year.

Some patients have not been discharged because home care services are not available.

It means longer waiting times across wards, community services and in the emergency department.

The hospital hopes that the completion of an upgrade to its elderly care ward next week will increase winter bed capacity and reduce pressures.



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Dr Matt Shepherd, deputy chief operating officer and consultant in emergency medicine at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said:

“Recently we have been experiencing a very busy period at Harrogate District Hospital, across our wards, community services and in the emergency department. This has meant people with less urgent issues are experiencing longer waiting times.
“It has also been more difficult recently to discharge some of our patients who no longer require hospital care, as there is less availability of home care to support people safely in their own homes.
“Difficulties in discharging patients combined with the extended stay required for patients with covid has meant the hospital currently has its highest number of longer stay patients so far this year. This has led to a reduction in the number of empty beds available for new admissions.
“We know our colleagues in social care and our team at HDFT are working incredibly hard to reduce these pressures. We are working closely with our partners in social care, both locally and across North Yorkshire, to ensure patients are able to be discharged as soon as they are well enough to no longer require hospital care. Upgrades to our elderly care ward will also be completed next week, which will increase winter bed capacity.
“We would like to apologise to those patients who might have to wait longer than usual when they visit the hospital to access our services. Unless it’s a life-threatening or severe illness or injury, we would ask them to contact NHS 111 first. The NHS will help you right away and if you need urgent care, the NHS can book you in to be seen quickly and safely.
“People with life-threatening illnesses or injuries should continue to dial 999 and anyone who arrives at A&E without calling NHS 111 will still receive medical care, with those needing emergency treatment prioritised.”