Coronavirus: Critical care beds trebled for Leicestershire and Rutland patients

In a joint statement today (Tuesday), the chief executives of LLR’s Clinical Commissioning Groups, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust say ‘the weeks ahead may be among the most challenging we have ever known’.

They praised the work of dedicated NHS staff and local partners for doing ‘an incredible job’ in a national emergency with latest figures showing 549 people have tested positive for Covid-19 from across the two counties and more than 50 of those have died.

The statement reads: ““We are determined to beat the threat of coronavirus and we have been working tirelessly to put in place the plans to deliver the care and support needed by patients.

“For example, tremendous work between the local NHS and its partners has helped transfer patients that are medically fit for discharge out of hospital and significantly increase the bed capacity available to us.

“We have also increased the number of critical care beds, used to care for the most seriously unwell patients, from a norm of around 50 to more than 150 – with the potential to increase that further depending on equipment availability.

“Meanwhile, the number of hospital beds available to us in the community has increased from around 222 to close to 350.

“We have done this with support from the independent sector.

They said GP surgeries had worked hard to meet the needs of patients while minimising the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

“We thank the public for their understanding, particularly as we enter an important phase in the battle against this disease,” the statement continued.

“Locally, we expect that number to continue going up over the course of the next week or two as we approach anticipated peak demand on our critical care facilities.

“With this in mind it is now even more important that people continue to do their bit by staying at home and at least two metres away from others if they need to go out for essential purposes.

“Social interaction is important as it is how we keep in touch and support one another, so do make use of technology, pick up the phone and have online chats with family, friends and colleagues wherever you can.

“The weeks ahead may be among the most challenging we have ever known.

“We are working incredibly hard to make sure that we are as prepared as we can be for the expected surge in demand.

“Please continue to play your part by staying at home, protecting the NHS and saving lives.

“Together, we will get through this.”

Meanwhile, Rutland and Melton MP, Alicia Kearns, has welcomed the government’s decision to wipe off £350 million of historic debt from the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust as part of their plans to defeat coronavirus.

The trust has the fourth largest debt in England which has been written off as part of a £13.4 billion move by the Department of Health and Social Care.

A new NHS funding model to ensure the health service has the necessary funding and support to respond to the coronavirus pandemic has also been established.

Mrs Kearns, said: “This move allows the NHS to focus on caring for our communities, and it also rightly recognises the sincere debt of gratitude we as a country owe our health service.

“Every single person working for the NHS, at the coal face of this pandemic, is a hero.

“I welcome that our hospitals close to home, and across the country now, have a clean slate and the means to provide first rate cars for years into the future when our country has healed.”