NHS winter crisis: extra beds created by 52% of UK hospitals

[Northerner]

More than half of hospitals have opened extra beds to help them cope with the NHS winter crisis amid an influx of patients with potentially fatal breathing problems.

Many of the so-called escalation beds are already occupied by people suffering from flu, pneumonia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbated by the arrival of very cold weather in many parts of the UK.

The British Thoracic Society (BTS), which represents specialist lung doctors, has found that 52% of UK hospitals have already created extra bed capacity to help them prepare for the imminent surge in winter demand.
In addition, almost half (48%) have kept open and are still using the overflow beds they created last winter, in a sign that the sustained pressure the NHS is under is not confined to December, January and February.

https://www.theguardian.com/society...a-beds-created-by-52-per-cent-of-uk-hospitals

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Winter is always a tough time for the health service. And it seems to have started early this year

 

[mikeyB]

Didn't notice any particular bed pressure in Blackburn Royal last weekend. Moved from ER to acute ward in a timely manner, and then to a routine ward once I was on fingerprick blood testing. Any bed pressure was helped by an obviously well loved grandpa saying his goodbyes to the world at the time of my 3.00am test and freeing up one of the five beds on the unit. Curiously popular time to die, 3.00am. I was pleased when the 4am test came and went uneventfully.

 

[trophywench]

Shame about Grandad - but not for no reason is it called the graveyard shift at that time daily!