How are things in hospitals?

[lingle]

I realise I can watch the news but you get truer reports here I think.

Tia

To add I work in community nursing and have had no one on our caseload with it unless they have all been asymptomatic. This is good considering we were told that’s all we would be dealing will from March, palliative Covid patients

[quote Ecosse]@Flaxmeadow

The vast majority of hospitals are not overwhelmed. There is ample capacity across the NHS, even before we get to the dozens of Nightingales lying empty.[/quote]
@Ecosse the NHS troll again.

Do tell everyone how your role as a non NHS 'management consultant' qualifies you to know this info? Nightingales are not empty, they're shut with no staff. Bit different.

Just came on to ask if the seasonal pressure on hospitals is earlier than usual this year please?

A hospital where a family member works has 75. It's small. Many staff off with positive tests and contacts. It's dire.

Ecosse as others have said (but you ignore) the nightingales are shut. There are not dozens either.

They are a last resort measure. I really hope they are never used. Do you have any idea who would be staffing them if they are required? It won't be a full complement of skilled and experienced staff. I saw some of the letters asking for volunteers.

Not all hospitals are overwhelmed. That's a good thing. The way the numbers add up, many will be if we don't do something.

Not sure why that is difficult to understand? Or would you rather wait until they are all overrun before we do something?

Not sure why that is difficult to understand? Or would you rather wait until they are all overrun before we do something?

Indeed, if @Ecosse was driving towards a cliff, based on her comments in here, I expect she’d slam on the brakes after she’d driven over the edge.

what ages are these people who are in ITU's?

My Trust is still doing ‘urgent elective’ surgery ie cancer. The patients have to self isolate and be swabbed as it’s in a ‘clean’ part of the hospital.

@Derbygerbil

As I’ve said I do believe that restrictions are required and I’m not on board with the ‘let it rip’ argument.

I do not believe that the benefits of a lockdown, however, are outweighed by the huge economic and health costs, particularly for young people.

I would have stuck with social distancing, masks, where approach, the rule of six, and short term further local restrictions in areas where hospital capacity is at risk.

I would also reintroduce shielding on a voluntary and funded basis until March 1st.

I'm sorry to staff who are stretched and stressed it is a nightmare.