By Patients stuck as Grimsby hospital faces ‘significant challenge’
Large numbers of patients have found themselves stuck and unable to be discharged from hospitals in Grimsby and Scunthorpe.
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust has said that although staff are working ‘incredibly hard’, it is facing a ‘significant challenge’ in discharging patients.
On average, 100 patients who did not need to be in hospital were kept there overnight each day in October.
Although a number of improvement measures have been put in place, staff say they are still struggling to meet the demand.
Shaun Stacey, NLAG’s chief operating officer, said: “Our staff are working incredibly hard to get patients who are fit to leave hospital home as soon as possible.
“However, despite our best efforts, there will always be reasons why some patients are unable to be discharged.
“Nobody wants to be in hospital for longer than they have to be, but a significant challenge facing hospitals and health care systems across the country is getting people back to where they call home in a timely way, once they’re fit to leave the ward.
Mr Stacey continued: “We are reducing hospital admission. In North Lincolnshire, our SPA GP is working with residential care homes, nursing homes and domiciliary care agencies in helping to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions for patients they are caring for.”
Mr Stacey also reiterated NLAG’s message to people seeking non-urgent care, advising people to avoid going to A&E as their first port of call. He While he stressed everyone who goes to A&E will be seen, but warned that emergency departments were “struggling but coping”.
People are advised to call 111, see a GP or visit the local pharmacy before attending A&E.
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