RUH says 'bear with us' as patient demand soars
Beleaguered staff at the Royal United Hospital say they are experiencing unprecedented demand for its services.
The hospital has seen an increase in emergency patients compared to the average figure for the past four years in each of the last four months.
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The RUH
Last month, there was a three per cent rise in emergency cases compared to the four-year average, to 5,677 people, while the increase was eight per cent in December.
Its managers are calling for people to make maximum use of minor injuries units in surrounding towns, along with the city’s walk-in centre and NHS Direct.
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Its interim chief operating officer Francesca Thompson said: “There has been an unprecedented demand on our services, even busier than normal for this time of year, with no sign of let-up. The extra influx of patients is putting the hospital under extreme pressure, but our staff have responded magnificently and are working flat out to help keep the hospital running.
“The hospital’s discharge arrangements are being reviewed on an hourly basis and we are also liaising closely with primary care trusts to effect timely discharge arrangements for patients and identify appropriate beds in the community.”
Mrs Thompson said the arrival of patients in the emergency department with a minor injury diverted staff’s attention from people with more serious injuries who need to be admitted.
She added: “Thanks to the magnificent efforts of our staff, we can reassure the public that the RUH will continue to provide care for those who need it. I would also like to pay tribute to my colleagues in the primary care trusts and social services who are also under extreme pressure and are working closely with us to make best use of our services and other facilities across the community.”
The seasonal diarrhoea and vomiting bug is still said to be “widespread in the community.”
Visitors, who have recovered are being asked not to come into the hospital to visit relatives and friends for 72 hours after symptoms have cleared so that they do not put other patients at risk and cause bed closures.
7 Comments
by grey_warrior
Sunday, February 10 2013, 11:09AM
“my concern is do we have enough infrastructur to cope with migration into this country I am not against the people moving to britain but if the polititions wish to continue down this road they must make more services and homes available to cope with the increase in demand or there will be conflict between the brits and the imigrants we are already seeing the early signs now.”
by Imp-Act
Saturday, February 09 2013, 7:17PM
“I don't have the patients for this!”
by bath1946
Saturday, February 09 2013, 2:57PM
“I have just been discharged from Philip Yeoman orthopaedic ward and was pleased to see the nurses and doctors put no undue pressure on patients to be discharged. The treatment was exemplary with a marked improvement particularly for infection control compared with five years ago. However this is small consolation for those waiting to be admitted or having to wait hours in A&E or the fracture clinic and the situation in April when they stupidly absorb the Riverside and the Min. will be dire; nobody i spoke to knew where the rheumatic patients will be housed.
The comments regarding minor injuries are valid. I have asked chemists to advise but they have without exception been cautious recommending the Riverside or A&E, but the pressure on the latter is so great that they are emphasising emergency, not accident.
Based upon my experience the moral is simple. Good luck and patience waiting to be seen and ignore any barbed comments - not easy if you are elderly or sensitive - but if you are admitted have no worries about the treatment.”
by Dave_Weston
Saturday, February 09 2013, 8:12AM
“Are people really coming in from Trowbridge etc with minor injuries rather than nipping down the road to their nearby unit? I suspect very few are driving themselves all the way over here so maybe its the ambulance service that is bringing people to the wrong place. If people are coming to the RUH with minor injuries from within Bath or other places nearby without minor injuries units then they just need to suck it up and deal with it - if you are in Bradford on Avon with a "minor injury" you are going to come to Bath rather than out to Trowbridge only to be told they can't deal with it and get sent to Bath. The other problem of course is defining what is a minor injury - a really painful ankle might be a sprain and therefore a minor injury or it might be broken and need A&E attention - how are we mere mortals supposed to decide which?
Its simply shifting the blame onto the patient for being ill!”
by Mr_Nemo
Friday, February 08 2013, 8:29PM
“"Mrs Thompson said the arrival of patients in the emergency department with a minor injury diverted staff's attention from people with more serious injuries who need to be admitted...."
Then perhaps the staff need to be better focused - is that not what the triage system is for? But of course, what is REALLY needed is a bigger and better Minor Injuries Unit, coupled with more easy access to GP services, so that most people would not need to go to A&E at all.”
by woodruff70
Friday, February 08 2013, 7:11PM
“rogerh3 - this hospital cannot cope. Period. It does not look good either for pending 'foundation' status OR the influx of the Min - Mrs Thompson has made this call before on this website...it is not exactly fostering confidence within the community should anyone need to call on its services.”
by rogerh3
Friday, February 08 2013, 5:17PM
“Its managers are calling for people to make maximum use of minor injuries units in surrounding towns, along with the city's walk-in centre..."
Brilliant. The hospital that is expected to absorb the walk-in centre is relying on it to help with excess demand. And this before it's also acquired the Min.
.”