Health Minister says data did not support splitting city from county
‘Unfortunately, the data didn’t support that conclusion’
THE government has set out its reasons for keeping Leicester and Leicestershire in Tier 3 after it was confirmed both the city and county will remain under the toughest restrictions for at least the next fortnight.
A report, uploaded to the Parliament website, provides a short summary of all areas across the country and the reasons why decisions were reached.
It appears the fact the area’s hospitals are now treating more Covid patients than ever before was the main contributing factor to Tier 3 status remaining in place across the city and county.
The report said: “The hospital pressures have not been as strong a concern previously. However, this is now a material concern, suggesting we must act cautiously.”
While some areas in the county have lower infection rates than the national average, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) is the main trust for patients in every area of the county and Rutland.
Talking about the county, the report said: “Since the end of national restrictions, case rates in all ages have increased across Leicestershire, with rates in Oadby and Wigston, Melton, Blaby, Harborough, North West Leicestershire and Hinckley and Bosworth increasing by more than 10 per cent.
“Case rates in over 60s are also increasing in all local authorities and are over 150 per 100,000 in Oadby and Wigston, Melton, Harborough and Charnwood.
“Positivity is increasing across Leicestershire. The epidemiology indicators remain too high for the area to move into Tier 2.
“The number of daily Covid hospital admissions in the area continues to rise.
“The daily Covid hospital bed occupancy rate is above the national average and rising.
“The proportion of critical care beds or beds with mechanical ventilation occupied by Covid patients remains high.
“The hospital pressures have not been as strong a concern previously.
“However, this is now a material concern, suggesting we must act cautiously.”
Some county MPs had lobbied for some parts of Leicestershire to be “de-coupled” from the city and treated as a separate cases, but these hopes were dashed.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the Commons: “We looked at Leicestershire in great detail and I wish that we could have taken part of the county out.
“Well, I wish that we could have taken the county and the city out of Tier 3. “Unfortunately, the data didn’t support that conclusion. I’m grateful to the people of Leicestershire, I know it has been a long hard slog with measures in place for a long time.” Last week, it was revealed that UHL was treat ing more Covid patients than ever before.
At the height of the first wave in April, Leicester’s hospitals treated 205 patients, while earlier this month there were more than 260 Covid positive patients being treated at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, Glenfield Hospital and Leicester General Hospital.
It is understood the figures have risen again since. Latest data, released last week, showed 649 people who have tested positive for coronavirus have died in Leicester’s hospitals since the start of the pandemic.
Rebecca Brown, acting chief executive at Leicester’s Hospitals, said: “We are very much in the second wave now and are treating more people with Covid19 in our hospitals than we were in the first wave earlier this year.
“We also face the usual winter pressures and are doing all we can to ensure we are able to maintain planned surgeries and procedures
“Given the national and local picture, we expect this to be a very tough winter.
“We continue to prioritise treatment for people with cancer, urgent and emergency care and to carry out planned operations wherever it is possible to do so.
“We are here for those who need us for their care so people shouldn’t delay their treatment.
“Our emergency department is also very busy though, so as always, we ask that people use NHS services wisely.”
She added: “We know how challenging the Covid restrictions continue to be for our local communities but everyone needs to play their part in preventing the spread of the virus.
“So please, follow the guidance and wear masks, wash hands and keep your distance from others. This is the only way we can protect ourselves and our loved ones.”
Positivity is increasing across Leicestershire. The epidemiology indicators remain too high for the area to move into Tier 2