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Original poster

London Hospital declares Major Incident.

426 replies

RubyViolet · 28/12/2020 16:55

This is frightening, and it’s not the hospital that l have heard about earlier today. This is in South London and l am hearing about a hospital in North London.
www.independent.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-london-queen-elizabeth-hospital-oxygen-b1779468.html

What happens next ?

OP posts:
Original poster
RubyViolet · 28/12/2020 17:15

@tapdancingmum

The ambulance service in my area have messaged to say not to call an ambulance unless there is a real risk to life. I don't think I have seen that before. Not looking good.
That’s scary.
OP posts:
redcandlelight · 28/12/2020 17:16

the qe is a relatively small hospital but serves a very populated and geographically large area.
I'm not surprised tbh. it was a question of when not if.

CoronaIsWatching · 28/12/2020 17:16

Like every winter then

Original poster
RubyViolet · 28/12/2020 17:17

@Coffeeandcocopops

The nightingale is no more. Gone. No idea where but it isn’t there anymore.
I had no idea that it was decided to completely dismantle the Nightingale at Excel. They certainly kept that quiet. Those beds could be needed.
OP posts:
TheAdventuresoftheWishingChair · 28/12/2020 17:17

OP it is frightening - I am guessing things will worsen over the coming days and the country will sit up and take notice. We have Christmas out the way, people are more able to focus now. I think it's about to get pretty rough in terms of there being many more stories like this but it will lead to more people being locked down and that will have an impact over the coming weeks. Plus we're about to see the Oxford vaccine be approved so stories like this will have the balance of being able to watch as major hubs start vaccinating people. I am keeping my eyes on the spring and thinking of those working in hospitals as the pressure builds for now. It must feel very scary seeing things get worse like that.

tkband3 · 28/12/2020 17:17

Excel Nightingale is being prepared for service again. A friend who was key in setting it up at the start of the pandemic was working all over Christmas on this.

The problem with the Nightingale hospitals isn't lack of beds or equipment, it's lack of trained staff - hospitals are already diverting staff from other wards to Covid wards...

I think it was the Royal Free in North London that nearly ran out of oxygen during the first wave - they showed this on the BBC Hospital programme. They have massive tanks storing the oxygen, but had never envisaged so many patients needing it at once.

doubleshotespresso · 28/12/2020 17:18

QE is one of many London hospitals whom have all sadly had to take this action since Saturday,,, Essex the same.
This is terrifying and desperately sad...

FourTeaFallOut · 28/12/2020 17:19

Like every winter then

We have oxygen supply issues every year? Confused

MadameBlobby · 28/12/2020 17:20

@RubyViolet

So if the hospitals can’t treat any or all the Covid patients we have to Lockdown. I can’t see any other option.
London is already in tier 4 which is pretty much lockdown and schools are closed for the moment. What else do you suggest and how will it help the people who have just recently been infected who will require hospital care in the next week or so?
Chanandlerbong01 · 28/12/2020 17:20

Major incidents happen every year. In some hospitals it happens multiple times, during the winter aka respiratory season. The memory holing of this is one of the most ridiculous aspects of this whole covid hysteria

Well then something needs doing long term. The fact that it has happened before makes it significantly worse in my eyes. Every person in this country has the right to healthcare as we fund it, so every person should be able to receive it at a reasonable standard when they need it.

CoronaIsWatching · 28/12/2020 17:20

@FourTeaFallOut

Like every winter then

We have oxygen supply issues every year? Confused

Yep
Viviennemary · 28/12/2020 17:20

Sorry I'm past listening to all the scaremongering. London should never ever have been in Tier two.

TheoriginalLEM · 28/12/2020 17:20

It is fucking terrifying

Squiffany · 28/12/2020 17:21

It was shown on tv in the last wave on the BBC Hospital programme. They went through a months worth of O2 in 3 or 4 days. They had to turn every patient down by a litre or two to stop the hospital infrastructure being overwhelmed. The pipes were all freezing due to such high flows.

BiggerTallerFaster · 28/12/2020 17:21

Things are undoubtedly tough out there, but all big hospitals declare major incidents at surprisingly frequent intervals in usual times. It's so frequent it's not normally news.

Babyroobs · 28/12/2020 17:22

It will get worse - all those people mixing on Xmas day, it's a recipe for disaster now.

MadameBlobby · 28/12/2020 17:22

@Chanandlerbong01

Major incidents happen every year. In some hospitals it happens multiple times, during the winter aka respiratory season. The memory holing of this is one of the most ridiculous aspects of this whole covid hysteria

Well then something needs doing long term. The fact that it has happened before makes it significantly worse in my eyes. Every person in this country has the right to healthcare as we fund it, so every person should be able to receive it at a reasonable standard when they need it.

Exactly. It’s completely ridiculous that the NHS can’t cope every year in a normal winter, let alone with Covid. But I guess that this is what people who vote Tory vote for.
Original poster
RubyViolet · 28/12/2020 17:23

@TheAdventuresoftheWishingChair

OP it is frightening - I am guessing things will worsen over the coming days and the country will sit up and take notice. We have Christmas out the way, people are more able to focus now. I think it's about to get pretty rough in terms of there being many more stories like this but it will lead to more people being locked down and that will have an impact over the coming weeks. Plus we're about to see the Oxford vaccine be approved so stories like this will have the balance of being able to watch as major hubs start vaccinating people. I am keeping my eyes on the spring and thinking of those working in hospitals as the pressure builds for now. It must feel very scary seeing things get worse like that.
I pray that the Government have a mega plan for the vaccine rollout. On past performance this year l don’t have high hopes. This should be were all efforts are centred now. Meanwhile , l hope they keep some beds free for the Teachers and school staff if the schools go back, the Hospital staff who are dealing with this and all the key workers keeping the wheels turning in this country.
OP posts:
AcornAutumn · 28/12/2020 17:23

Sorry to be that person

My dad was a hospital doctor, has happened so many times.

Here's my plea

If you have chest pains, head injuries etc etc please go to A&E. look after yourselves. It sounds mad but there are some people who say "no,I'll be fine" when they won't.

DownstairsMixUp · 28/12/2020 17:23

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

yeOldeTrout · 28/12/2020 17:23

"asked people not to go to a and unless life threatening "

Sounds like usual guideline to visit A&E... but I suppose Should people with bad allergic reactions, broken bones & deep cuts just try to sort them at home--not life threatening after all, or maybe just not yet.

Nobody says this but Nightingale were just palliative centres for the covid patients, weren't they? At best keep the patients comfortable until they die, knowing they couldn't be helped due to lack of right staff.

Lookslikerainted · 28/12/2020 17:24

What is the point of this thread? Apart from to spread fear? I swear some people are just thriving off the drama.

Squiffany · 28/12/2020 17:25

@yeOldeTrout

"asked people not to go to a and unless life threatening "

Sounds like usual guideline to visit A&E... but I suppose Should people with bad allergic reactions, broken bones & deep cuts just try to sort them at home--not life threatening after all, or maybe just not yet.

Nobody says this but Nightingale were just palliative centres for the covid patients, weren't they? At best keep the patients comfortable until they die, knowing they couldn't be helped due to lack of right staff.

Yes, that is correct.
keeponkeepinon · 28/12/2020 17:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
RubyViolet · 28/12/2020 17:27

@yeOldeTrout

"asked people not to go to a and unless life threatening "

Sounds like usual guideline to visit A&E... but I suppose Should people with bad allergic reactions, broken bones & deep cuts just try to sort them at home--not life threatening after all, or maybe just not yet.

Nobody says this but Nightingale were just palliative centres for the covid patients, weren't they? At best keep the patients comfortable until they die, knowing they couldn't be helped due to lack of right staff.

I think you are right, at The Excel they built a giant morgue that was bigger than the hospital ward they constructed........lnfact, 🤔 do we think the morgue is actually still there and the beds were secondary.
OP posts:
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