Help us cope with extreme pressure, says NHS Devon

HIGH demand and rising coronavirus cases are putting Devon’s health and care system under ‘extreme pressure’, the NHS says.

A spokesperson said planned surgeries are being postponed and patients are facing longer waits in emergency departments as a result.

The statement came after it emerged that Derriford Hospital in Plymouth has declared a ‘critical incident’ due to the pressures, putting in place special procedures to cope with the high demand.

The number of Covid patients has been rising in hospitals, although it is still much lower than at the peak of previous waves of the pandemic.

Rates of Covid infection are rising, particularly among the young, with many areas of Devon seeing some of the highest rates in England.

But the government says the successful vaccination programme has largely broken the link between the virus and hospitalisation.

On Wednesday, there were 127 hospital beds occupied by Covid patients in Devon. Of those, 14 were in high dependency or intensive care units, and seven were on mechanical ventilation.

On that day there were 713 staff off due to Covid-19, which accounted for almost a third (32%) of absences.

A statement issued by Devon NHS said: “The Devon health and social care system is under extreme pressure due to high demand for services and the number of staff and patients affected by Covid-19.

“As a result, people are facing longer waits in emergency departments and planned procedures are being postponed.

“The NHS is asking the public to help by using services wisely and doing their bit to reduce the spread of Covid-19.”

The statement said pressures were being seen across the system including mental health care, GPs and adult social care as well as in the acute hospitals. In primary care, there has been a 14% increase in demand for GP services since before the pandemic.

It urged people to get vaccinated with both jabs and only visit a hospital emergency department as a last resort.

The NHS is also asking people to collect friends or family from hospital as soon as they are ready to leave so their bed can be given to someone who needs it.

NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group Clinical Chair Dr Paul Johnson said: “Our staff have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic.

“They are extremely tired and we need you to support them and us by getting vaccinated, using our services wisely, maintaining social distancing and picking up your friends and family promptly when they are ready to leave hospital.”

The statement listed factors causing the high pressure including:

The increase in Covid patients affecting the availability of beds and staff for other patients, including planned procedures.

High levels of staff isolating because a family member has Covid-19.

High numbers of people attending emergency departments who need to be admitted.

Inappropriate use of emergency departments by patients with minor conditions.

Delays in sending people home from hospital due to Covid pressures on social care providers.

High numbers of jobs vacancies across the health and care system. There are currently 1,400 NHS vacancies in Devon, and 1,000 more social care workers are needed.

The statement said one in 10 GP practices are facing “severe operation pressures”, with the others “seriously impacted.”

‘The NHS is asking the public to help by using services wisely and doing their bit to reduce the spread of Covid-19’ DEVON NHS STATEMENT