Beds 'adjacent to fire safety doors were last resort' at Antrim Area Hospital, board told
Five beds needed to be placed adjacent to fire safety doors at Antrim Hospital as a “last resort” to ease pressure in the emergency department recently, the Northern Health and Social Care Trust board has been told.
Speaking at a meeting of the Trust board at Antrim Hospital, on Thursday, Gillian Traub, director of operations, said additional bed capacity had to be “created”.
She explained five “in-patient” spaces were identified enabling five spaces to be made available as a result in the emergency department (ED).
The operations director stressed patient safety was “not without consideration” and in terms of responsibility, to maintain safety, risk assessment and daily checks were carried out to ensure there were no obstacles to evacuation, if necessary.
She went on to say the beds have since been used “on occasion for patients who require admission to support sustained pressure in the last number of weeks” as a “last resort” and balanced with pressure on wards and ED. However, she stated it will not become a “model of business”.
Trust board chair Anne O’Reilly described it as “part of business continuity ebb and flow” and asked to be kept appraised of use.
Carol Diffin, an independent Trust board member, commented: “You had no other real choice. There are patients who require admission.”
The Trust board chair acknowledged the dilemma faced by the senior leadership team and expressed confidence in their professional judgement.
Interim chief executive Suzanne Pullins reported “high numbers” in attendance in ED during the New Year period coupled with an early flu peak saying: “Some people face very long waits. I very much regret that. It is difficult for staff, patients and those attending with them.”
She thanked staff and the public for their “understanding and support”.
However, the interim chief executive said “busy EDs are only part of the health and social care story and symptomatic of various aspects across health and social care” and it is “regrettable that people who are the most frail and elderly are delayed in hospital while ongoing care is sourced in the community”.
Previously, Trust board members were told “use of additional beds is set out in the Trust’s Full Capacity Protocol as part of the risk management measures taken when the hospital is operating at full capacity”.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter