Health boss warns of the ‘extreme pressure’ on NHS
A North East health boss has warned that Covid-19 is continuing to have a big impact on NHS services across the region.
Neil Halford, the medical directorfortheNorthEastand North Cumbria (NENC) Integrated Care System, is warningthattheNHSiscontinuing to work under “extreme and increasing pressure”.
It follows a rise in staff absence due to the need for selfisolation combined with an increase in the amount of patients being admitted to with Covid-19, as well as dealing with the usual winter pressures.
Mr Halford said staff are continuing to work hard despite the circumstances but some measures may need to betakentohelpeasepressure.
Hesaid:“GPpractices,ambulance services and hospital trusts across the North East and north Cumbria continue toworkunderextremeandincreasing pressure.
"This is due to rising staff absence levels due to sickness and the need for staff to selfisolate,increasingnumbersof patients being admitted with Covid-19anddealingwithusual winter pressures.
“Our services and hospitals are doing all they can to manage these pressures and to minimise any impact the best they can.
“All staff across the health system are working very hard to care for patients during what is a very difficult time andwethankeachofthemfor theircontinuedeffort,flexibility and dedication.
"Hospitaltrustsarecontinually reviewing their planned operations and procedures alongside caring for the sickest patients and ensuring infection prevention control measures can be adhered to.
"This a difficult balancing act and regrettably some planned operations and procedures may need to be postponed."
The medical director is alsourgingpeopletotakeupthe offer of a Covid-19 vaccine as well as following the rules to reducethespreadofthevirus.
He added: “The best way to support your NHS is by getting vaccinated, washing your hands regularly, wearing masks and keeping rooms ventilated when you do mix with family and friends.
“TheNHSisheretocarefor people and people should not delay seeking medical advice and help if they need it, but we ask them to think carefullyaboutwhichservicetheyaccess.Ifwealldoourbit,wecan reduce hospital admissions and prevent our loved ones from becoming ill."