New community health hub and extra intensive care beds being put in place
NHs Lothian has confirmed the steps it is taking to provide extra hospital beds, staff and training as a result of coronavirus.
in line with other boards across scotland, NHs Lothian is taking urgent action to ensure that the system is prepared to meet the challenges ahead for patients and staff.
the health board has also suspended visiting in hospitals to protect vulnerable patients and staff.
a new community hub has also been established to help reduce pressures on gp practices and hospitals.
the hub, which is part of a national approach, will be staffed by a mixture of nurses and doctors and will handle calls with members of the public, triaged initially through NHs 24’s 111 phone line, who may be experiencing symptoms of coronavirus and who may need further assessment and advice.
Health bosses said non-urgent procedures, such as elective gallbladder and hernia surgery, non-trauma orthopaedic surgery, such as hip and knee operations and elective gynaecological operations have been postponed to ensure beds are available for the sickest of patients.
Non-urgent outpatient and diagnostic appointments are being scaled back. For patients who are affected, they will be contacted by the relevant department in the coming days.
the number of intensive Care Unit (iCU) beds will be increased, while extra beds to manage Covid-19 will also be opened up.
the number of doctors and nurses available is also to be boosted by offering short term contracts to bank staff, asking recently retired staff to return and working with senior nursing and medical students.
NHs Lothian stressed that the measures which have been introduced would not impact maternity, emergency or cancer services.
Jim Crombie, deputy chief executive, NHs Lothian, said work with colleagues in the four health and social care partnerships in Lothian was well advanced to reduce the number of patients who are waiting to be discharged home.
He added:“We know that this is a challenging and worrying time, but i hope that by sharing our plans, we can offer reassurance to the public that we are as well-prepared for the increased demands that coronavirus is likely to cause.
“For many weeks now, we have already been working hard to increase capacity across our acute services, and many of the measures had already been deployed.
“i know that disruption to services, such as the postponement of non-elective procedures can be very frustrating and worrying for patients, but i would like to stress that these decisions have not been taken lightly.
“While coronavirus will undoubtedly present ongoing challenges for our health service, i would like to take the opportunity to say thank you to all staff across NHs Lothian and our four Health and social Care partnerships. the dedication, commitment and flexibility that staff have shown in what is a difficult time is to be commended.”
professor alex McMahon, director of nursing, midwifery and allied healthcare professionals, NHs Lothian, said visits by family and friends to patients will be suspended for the time being, but added: “Visiting will continue in specific circumstances; for example patients receiving end-of-life care, for inpatients in our children’s services and those accompanying partners during childbirth. Visiting arrangements for these groups should only take place following discussions with senior charge nurses or midwives.”
to stay up-to-date with the latest coronavirus (Covid-19) advice, visit NHs inform: https://www.nhsinform. scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ infections-and-poisoning/ coronavirus-covid-19
a free helpline has been set up for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice. this can be accessed by calling 0800 028 2816.