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Fifty-two NHS hospitals sent patients elsewhere in busiest week yet | Fifty-two NHS hospitals sent patients elsewhere in busiest week yet |
(35 minutes later) | |
The NHS experienced the busiest week in its history last week, with record numbers of hospitals having to send patients elsewhere or declare a major alert. | The NHS experienced the busiest week in its history last week, with record numbers of hospitals having to send patients elsewhere or declare a major alert. |
Fifty-two hospital trusts had to send ambulances elsewhere between 8 and 15 January, up from 39 the previous week and 27 in the second week of January last year, NHS England figures show. | Fifty-two hospital trusts had to send ambulances elsewhere between 8 and 15 January, up from 39 the previous week and 27 in the second week of January last year, NHS England figures show. |
Hospitals activate “A&E divert” plans when their emergency department is struggling with the number of patients turning up seeking care. | Hospitals activate “A&E divert” plans when their emergency department is struggling with the number of patients turning up seeking care. |
Sixty-eight trusts – 45% of the 152 in total in England – declared an alert last week, up from 65 the week before, in another sign that some hospitals can no longer meet demand. | Sixty-eight trusts – 45% of the 152 in total in England – declared an alert last week, up from 65 the week before, in another sign that some hospitals can no longer meet demand. |
NHS England said the rise was partly due to a change in how it records data, but doctors said last week was the most challenging and relentless they had ever faced. | NHS England said the rise was partly due to a change in how it records data, but doctors said last week was the most challenging and relentless they had ever faced. |
On Monday 9 January 61 trusts issued an alert, which is thought to be the highest number ever on a single day. | On Monday 9 January 61 trusts issued an alert, which is thought to be the highest number ever on a single day. |
Fifteen trusts were on alert continuously for 11 days in a row between 3 and 13 January. They included trusts in Stoke-on-Trent and in Copeland, Cumbria, where two parliamentary byelections are due. | Fifteen trusts were on alert continuously for 11 days in a row between 3 and 13 January. They included trusts in Stoke-on-Trent and in Copeland, Cumbria, where two parliamentary byelections are due. |
Overall, England’s 152 acute NHS trusts – which between them run about 250 hospitals – recorded bed occupancy rates of 95.8% last week, well above the 85% considered safe. That was up slightly on the 94.8% in the week after the new year holiday weekend. | Overall, England’s 152 acute NHS trusts – which between them run about 250 hospitals – recorded bed occupancy rates of 95.8% last week, well above the 85% considered safe. That was up slightly on the 94.8% in the week after the new year holiday weekend. |
On Tuesday 10 January bed occupancy across England hit 96.4%, 15 trusts were full and another 24 had five beds or fewer free for patients who needed to be admitted as an emergency. | On Tuesday 10 January bed occupancy across England hit 96.4%, 15 trusts were full and another 24 had five beds or fewer free for patients who needed to be admitted as an emergency. |
Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrats’ health spokesman, said: “This NHS winter crisis brings bad news day after day and patients are paying the price. | Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrats’ health spokesman, said: “This NHS winter crisis brings bad news day after day and patients are paying the price. |
“The government is doing nothing to deal with it. I don’t know how bad the figures need to get for them to actually take action.” | “The government is doing nothing to deal with it. I don’t know how bad the figures need to get for them to actually take action.” |
The figures emerged as a man was reported to have been evicted from his hospital bed by court order after he “unnecessarily” refused to leave for more than two years. | |
James Paget university hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk, said it had launched legal action against the man, who has not been named due to patient confidentiality, as a last resort. A court of possession granted the order on 1 December and he was removed on 10 January and placed in accommodation in the community. | |
Anna Hills, the hospital’s director of governance, told the BBC: “The gentleman repeatedly refused all offers of appropriate accommodation organised by our local authority and social care partners, despite being fit for discharge.” |
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