UNDER-PRESSURE health chiefs have revealed a package of measures to tackle the expected surge in illness over the winter and relieve pressure on the city’s hospital.
Among the £1.7million of measures being lined up by the cash-strapped Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is an expanded Ambulatory Emergency Care unit.
This will consist of a six trolley and ten chair section for ill patients backed by a surgical unit plus three GP consulting rooms.
Health chiefs expect to open the unit on Monday and it is anticipated it could reduce medical admissions into the main hospital by up to 29 patients per day.
A meeting of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust on Thursday heard the plan is aimed at giving patients national standard care while freeing bed capacity in local hospitals.
Elderly patients across Worcester now face journeys to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch where an assessment section has been created in unused Medical Admissions Unit bays.
Under the scheme all frail patients, regardless of where they live in Worcestershire, are taken to Redditch for treatment on a ‘Frailty Ward’ (Ward 12) or an ‘Evergreen Ward’ for a phased route back to full recovery.
Health bosses have also expanded bed capacity on the Evergreen 2 ward at the Royal to create a speciality ward for particularly ill patients which would enable them to be directly admitted rather than going through Accident and Emergency.
Additional efforts to reduce the number of ‘stranded’ patients medically fit for discharge but occupying a bed, treating patients with specific medical needs in specialist units rather than in A&E and a wind down in elective surgery at Worcestershire Royal and its transfer where possible to the Alexandra Hospital and Kidderminster Treatment Centre have also been unveiled.
A Trust spokesman said: “The new Frailty Assessment Unit and short stay inpatient ward opened at the Alexandra Hospital last month and has already proven effective in avoiding some unnecessary hospital admissions or attendances at A&E for frail elderly people.
“The unit provides specialist assessment and support for frail elderly people who need more care than can usually be provided at home, but who aren’t acutely unwell.
“The aim is to support people to go home on the same day wherever possible or, if they need to stay in hospital, to put in place a package of care and support that ensures their stay is as short as possible.
“This in turn will improve the overall experience for patients and their families or carers,” he added.
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