Demand soars for Downe beds

Demand soars for Downe beds

30 November 2016

HEALTH chiefs have drawn up plans to open four additional beds at the Downe Hospital to help meet increased demand.

The confirmation comes after a number of patients had to wait overnight in the hospital’s emergency department last week as no beds were available.

Five patients remained in the department last Wednesday, with three unable to secure a bed on Thursday. The South Eastern Trust said the emergency department was fully staffed as the patients waited overnight and were in beds, not trolleys.

Health chiefs say the Downe has been experiencing increased demand for hospital care over recent weeks, alongside every hospital in the Province, which resulted in a number of patients remaining in the emergency department overnight on a few occasions. 

They say plans have been drawn up to address the issue by opening four beds to cope with winter pressure, one of several initiatives they want to introduce, provided they can secure additional nursing staff. There are also plans to expand the hospital’s frail elderly rapid assessment centre.

Down Community Health Committee chairman, Mr Eamonn McGrady, said the Trust has long recognised the simple fact that bed numbers in the Downe are inadequate to meet the needs of the local community.

“We welcome the Trust’s proposal to increase the number of winter beds by four and to provide a limited expansion of the frail elderly rapid assessment centre,” he continued. “We have been campaigning for additional beds since the people’s hospital was opened. There has been excess demand in both summer and winter and it is clear to us that what is needed is a permanent all year round increase in capacity.”

Mr McGrady said that based on substantial anecdotal evidence, “it seems to us that four extra beds may not be enough but it is a welcome start, nevertheless.”

He added: “The Trust’s assertion that the initiative is dependent on its ability to secure additional nurses is noted, but the East Down area has a fine and distinguished tradition in producing first class nurses and we are sure that permanent positions at the Downe could be filled quickly.”

A Trust spokeswoman said the patients who remained in the Downe’s emergency department overnight last week were in beds in defined cubicle spaces with appropriate nursing and medical staff to look after them. She said the care provided was exactly the same as it would be if they were on a ward.

The spokeswoman said Trust officials expect that demand will remain high over next few months and there is a plan in place for the Downe, Lagan Valley and Ulster hospital sites to assist with management of winter demand.

“Plans for the Downe include some expansion of its frail elderly rapid assessment centre where older people can receive treatment and diagnostic assessment without being admitted. 

“The addition of four winter beds to increase capacity is part of the plan and patients due to go home will move to a discharge lounge on the morning of discharge to await transport and pharmacy arrangements. This will release beds earlier in the day for those waiting in the emergency department.” she continued.