Epsom & St Helier University Hospital Foundation Trust
Dr Ruth Charlton (Joint Medical Director) presenting on the following:
• The future of Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in respect of new leadership, a brief overview of on-going developments, and any new initiatives or services for future consideration
• Winter pressures: The current picture and plans in responding to Covid-19, and the anticipated rise in influenza and other winter-borne illness
Minutes:
The Panel received presentations on the following matters:
a) The future of Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in respect of new leadership, a brief overview of ongoing developments, and any new initiatives or services for future consideration.
b) Winter pressures: The current picture and plans in responding to Covid-19, and the anticipated rise in influenza and other winter-borne illnesses.
The Chair advised the Panel that Dr Ruth Charlton will not be providing the update on the future of Epsom and St Helier University Hospital Trust at this evening’s Panel. This will be covered at the Panel in March 2022 by the newly appointed CEO.
Dr Charlton advised that at the present, and as anticipated, the Trust is managing:
· An increase in Covid cases alongside the normal winter virus.
· A surge in virus in children
· Its recovery in respect of planned care and elective surgery.
Dr Charlton advised that an immediate challenge is doing this work with an already fatigued workforce.
Dr Charlton advised that during the Spring/Summer period they had seen normal levels of A&E attendance however since this time, the numbers of presentations have steadily increased up to 250 patients a day. This is compounded by the fact that such high numbers cannot be accommodated in the building.
However, of some reassurance, the number of patients they need to admit is not increasing.
In terms of Covid, the numbers fluctuate with Epsom and St Helier currently having 52 patients admitted with Covid. Dr Charlton advised, however that routine testing of patients has commenced, and therefore Covid is not always the primary reason for admission. The numbers in critical care are now small and this is largely due to the vaccination rollout.
In planning for winter pressures this year, what has changed is the level of collaborative working and that the Covid response would not have been as successful without partnership working. Additional funding is available this winter, however it is workforce fatigue that presents the greatest challenge.
Dr Charlton advised the Panel on the new ways of working in respect of linking in with other partners and Trusts, assessing the availability of beds and getting an understanding of the situation across the hospitals. Working as a system has been and continues to be instrumental in managing the pandemic.
There continues to be a lot of modelling in respect of the provision needed. It is difficult when no-one knows how the pandemic will change, or how the vaccination programme will continue to impact. Epsom historically plans for 6 critical care beds, and St Helier 13. It is anticipated that the beds at St Helier may need to increase to 22 beds.
In respect of winter investment Dr Charlton touched on the following matters:
· Point of care Covid PCR testing and investing in a rapid PCR testing machine to help identify Covid at the earliest convenience.
· An increase in hospital porters. Dr Charlton advised that the new layout of the hospital to accommodate Covid patients has ... view the full minutes text for item 13