Ambulance service warns of ‘mounting pressure’
Royal Borough: Strain on NHS trusts and vaccine uptake discussed at meeting
The Royal Borough is doing a ‘huge amount of work’ to find out why there are still 19 per cent of adults without their first or second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
A virtual outbreak and engagement board convened to discuss the current virus situation,with a representative from the South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) admitting ‘pressure is mounting’.
Infections have climbed in recent weeks, although the numbers are much below the January peak.
The latest data for the Royal Borough, covering the period November 1-11, shows an infection rate of 368 per
100,000 people, with 557 positive cases recorded.
The council's public health consultant Anna Richards told the meeting these figures put the borough ‘at a similar level’ to the south-east average.
She also revealed how there are still some adults in the borough who have not had their first or second dose of a vaccine.
"There are 19 per cent of adults who have not had their first or second dose, so there are still individuals out there who could be vaccinated and it is really important that they are,” Ms Richards said,
"We have been doing a huge amount of work to understand what might be behind these decisions.
"It is about having conversations with these residents to understand what the barriers are."
The council's lead member for health, Councillor Stuart Carroll (Con, Boyn Hill), added it was important the council continued its ‘mythbusting’ work to ensure people are not swayed by untruths about the jab.
Monday's meeting also heard updates from SCAS operations manager Andy Battye, who told councillors of increased pressure on the service, with staff off sick and self-isolating.
“Every month has been up 10 per cent greater demand, with the exception of August,” he said.
“The pressure has really been on.”
Mr Battye urged people to only phone an ambulance if it is an absolute emergency and advised people to transport others to hospital by car if they are able.
Cllr Simon Werner (Lib Dem, Pinkneys Green) said his residents had reported ‘huge problems’ within the NHS, adding it has taken some three or four days to speak to their GPs.
Mr Battye said that GPs are returning to seeing people face-to-face once again, although some are continuing the use of phone calls to limit the spread of the virus.
Earlier in the meeting, Frimley Health CCG representative Caroline Farrar revealed that hospital staff were reporting how it is ‘the busiest they have ever seen it’.
She added operations for patients 'just cannot go ahead' due to rising COVID admissions putting pressure on critical care.