Warwick Hospital forced to make early discharges after surge in casualty patients

On March 1 an internal “major incident” had to be declared because of the sheer volume of people arriving for emergency treatment.

As a result some 90 existing patients - the highest number ever - were discharged early to make room for the new emergencies.

Nurses had to use spare maternity, surgery and day patient beds to accommodate the crush. Even so a dozen spent the night waiting in the A & E department.

Throughout March doctors in the accident department saw 4,872 people - some 568 more than February, another bumper month when the sheer number of those admitted had a knock-on effect on the beds available on March 1.

On average the A & E department sees some 60,000 patients a year - although there has been a noticeable rise recently, especially amongst those aged 85 or over.

Glen Burley, the hospital’s chief executive said: “By declaring a major incident, it enabled internal processes with staff and external processes with our partners to be enhanced.

“For example, the trust worked closely with social services to ensure that suitable patients were safely discharged. This resulted in the trust safely discharging an appropriate number of patients on the same day that the incident was declared.”

He added: “The trust has devised some short-term actions and is currently developing a longer term plan, as well as working in partnership with our social care and primary care colleagues in order to manage any further pressures.”

The pressures on beds started to build up in February when there had been 313 more accidents and emergencies than in February 2011.

Patients in the 85 or over age range also have more complicated care packages and so stay in hospital longer.