A critical incident is still in place as health services in Cornwall remain under immense pressure. The system critical incident was declared by NHS bosses on Friday (January 3) and an MP called for urgent reform to prevent the crisis happening again.
The NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly issued an update this afternoon (Monday, January 6) to thank residents for their ongoing support. People are being reminded to continue to make use of their local pharmacy, GP practice and minor injury unit services for minor illness or injury so that the hospitals can be kept available for the people who need it the most.
The NHS said that there have been around four times as many hospital inpatients with flu over the last month compared to a year ago. The Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro is experiencing long ambulance queues and high patient numbers in its emergency department.
Health bosses are working on making more beds available and arranging extra staff. They are also reducing non-clinical activities such as standing down meetings.
(Image: Hugh Hastings/Getty Images)
Dr Chris Reid, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board said: “Over the last month we have seen almost four times as many hospital inpatients with flu as we did a year ago. Calling a system critical incident allows us to stand down non urgent work and focus on seeing more patients in our primary care hubs, getting people home from hospital and helping keep them from needing to be admitted.
“I want to thank all of our hardworking colleagues across the health and care system who work tirelessly all year round but are under particular pressure when our services are so busy.”
How can people help?
- If you have a friend or family member in hospital please help them to come home as soon as they are ready. Talk to the ward staff about the support available to help them be discharged, including one off grants.
- If you have any symptoms of a winter bug such as flu or norovirus please stay at home, particularly avoid people who are more vulnerable such as hospital patients or care home residents.
- There is lots of Stay Well winter wellbeing advice on the NHS website and social media on how you can care for yourself or a loved one at home with winter bugs and other conditions and how to reduce the spread of these bugs.
- If you don’t have symptoms of an infectious bug and you have an appointment do please attend unless you are contacted.
- If you do have a life threatening emergency we want to reassure you that our emergency services are available and ask you to continue to use them.
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