Medics to get rest with sleeping pods
SHATTERED medics will have to take naps in spaceship-style “sleeping pods” at a new NHS hospital – because no rest areas were designed for their breaks.
The pods – which block light and sound – were ordered after officials feared medical staff would become exhausted during punishing shifts.
The £350m Grange University Hospital is due to open six months ahead of schedule in Llanfrechfa, Cwmbran, but no dedicated rest areas had been included in the plans.
Concerned politicians ordered health chiefs to review the plans – and so the sleeping pods were brought in.
Dai Lloyd, chair of Welsh Parliament’s health committee, said rest areas were needed to help staff through a “difficult” winter.
In a letter to health chiefs, he said: “These rest facilities have been vital during recent times in enabling frontline staff to deliver services in extremely challenging circumstances.
“The continued provision of adequate facilities in the new hospital will be important in helping staff to cope with the difficult winter period ahead.”
The Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said it was in “detailed discussions” with staff over “in-shift and post-shift rest facilities”.
A spokeswoman said: “The facilities at the Grange University Hospital do not replicate what is provided on other sites as the service delivery and workforce models have changed i.e. very few junior doctors are now on-call and therefore require on-call bedrooms for this purpose.
“However, we recognise the importance and benefits of providing appropriate rest facilities for our staff and the impact this can have on patient care. To this end, it has been agreed to provide sleep pods in readiness for the early opening in November.
“This will be an interim measure pending further discussions on a more permanent solution.”