PEH remains busy as winter pressures continue into spring

Friday 06 April 2018

Guernsey's Princess Elizabeth Hospital was at 96% capacity yesterday afternoon as winter illnesses continue to put pressure on the island's health and social care services.

The hospital is having to deal with a "significantly high number of very sick patients" being admitted through its Emergency Department, including high levels of respiratory illness and other medical conditions.

Last week Express reported how operations were being cancelled as the PEH was experiencing a late peak in winter pressures. Over the last ten days, Health and Social Care and its partners have "continued to experience exceptionally high demand for its services, with bed capacity still at very high levels" with it described as "the most demanding period that HSC has experienced for some time."

In a statement, the Committee acknowledged peaks and troughs of capacity are expected during the winter months but the level of sustained service pressure experienced in the last ten days is described as "unprecedented".

HSC said it has "good plans in place to ensure high standards of care can be maintained for people in the Bailiwick. However, we would ask Islanders to continue to work with us and only attend the hospital if absolutely necessary."

The hospital said it is having to deal with a "significantly high number of very sick patients being admitted through its Emergency Department" and "high levels of respiratory illness and other medical conditions saw 14 emergency admissions on Bank Holiday Monday alone." As at 13:00 Thursday 5 April capacity at the PEH had reached 96% but HSC said it was "still able to cope with emergency admissions through the focused and efficient work of our staff teams."

However, the continued winter pressures has meant there have been further "difficult decisions to postpone some elective operations" which HSC said "is not a decision we take lightly as we understand the frustration and upset that this causes. We have been contacting those impacted to explain the reasons for the postponement and we are grateful to the vast majority who have been very understanding."

HSC has also said flu and respiratory illness continue to be a risk for Guernsey: "Incidences of flu and respiratory illness in Guernsey tend to lag behind the UK by a period of around 2 weeks. Information from Public Health England is now showing decreasing levels of flu in England and Northern Ireland. However, data shows that there is still an issue in Europe. Some European countries are reporting high intensity levels of flu activity. This remains a risk for Guernsey in the coming weeks."

The Committee adds that: "The pressures currently being felt are not exclusive to the hospital" and said all staff have been working hard over the last ten days "to ensure there are no delays to slow up discharges from the hospital" with MSG colleagues also thanked for being "extremely supportive of the decisions that have to be made regarding the use of hospital facilities during this difficult time."

The statement from HSC also said "community nurses have worked together to deliver packages of care for patients. Social workers have worked hard to facilitate discharges for those patients who no longer need hospital care. 

"Primary Care practices are reporting that they are generally busy with one practice reporting a definite increase in flu like symptoms, coughs and cold over the last week."

As reported by Express earlier this week, the St John Ambulance and Rescue Service has also been extremely busy with a 10% increase in call outs during the first quarter of 2018 compared to the same three months in 2017. Demand for St John's services in March this year has, in their view, been "unprecedented."

To combat the continuing times of winter pressures, HSC has issued further advice, with Dr Nicola Brink, Guernsey's Medical Officer of Health commenting: 

"In the interests of infection control and, in light of the risks to weak or immune-deficient patients, HSC would always recommend anyone who is suffering with coughs, colds, sickness or diarrhoea should exercise common sense when they are considering whether or not it is appropriate to visit friends and relatives in hospital, nursing care homes or other health and wellbeing facilities."

She adds that it is not too late for people to get a flu jab: "All islanders aged over 65 years and people of any age with certain medical conditions are highly likely to benefit from protection against flu. Therefore, all are being urged to arrange to have the vaccine as soon as possible. These conditions include: chronic lung or heart disease; kidney or liver disease; HIV infection, diabetes and severe obesity."

HSC continues to ask that people only attend the hospital if they absolutely have to: "If you are feeling unwell you should, in the first instance, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Out of hours GP cover is available– you should phone your normal surgery number for further information."

HSC said it will continue to review the situation three times a day and provide updates to the media as appropriate.