Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke Hospitals treating 54 COVID patients

A total of 54 COVID patients are being treated at Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke Hospitals.
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While the hospitals, which are run by the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, have seen a 'sharp increase' in the number of COVID patients staff are having to treat in recent days, the number of patients is still lower than 'most hospitals in the region.

Graham Wilde, Chief Operating Officer for North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, said: “As with all hospitals across the country in recent weeks, we have seen a sharp increase in the number of patients with Covid-19 presenting at our hospitals in the last fortnight. Our staff are currently caring for 54 Covid-19 patients across Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke Hospitals.

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"However, our patient numbers are still lower than most hospitals in the region and at present we aren’t experiencing any operational issues that are causing us concern.

Peterborough City HospitalPeterborough City Hospital
Peterborough City Hospital

“We have robust plans in place across our hospital sites to ensure that we are able to cope with the increased pressures that the second peak and winter season will inevitably bring. This includes increasing staffing levels, where appropriate, and working with community and social care to ensure we can help to get patients home safely and efficiently.

Patients are encouraged to attend their outpatient appointments as usual unless they are contacted by us to rearrange.

"To help us reduce the spread of infection, we ask that they wear a face mask or covering at all times when in the hospital, unless exempt, and practise thorough hand washing or sanitise upon entering and leaving the site.

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“Last week we made the difficult decision to reintroduce tighter visiting restrictions to ensure we are limiting the footfall through our hospitals and helping to prevent the spread of infection. "Relatives can use our ‘letters to a loved one’ service to send personal messages to inpatients, as well as keep in touch via video calls.

“Anyone needing urgent medical advice can contact NHS 111 24/7 online or by phone to make sure they are directed to the most appropriate service.”

The reintroduction of restrictions will mean normal visiting times will not take place across the inpatient areas of the hospitals. Exemptions are made for end of life patients, carers, parents of paediatric patients and birthing partners during labour and after delivery if mum and baby remain as inpatients.

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For women attending for maternity appointments, their birthing partner is able to attend scans but not regular antenatal appointments.

For outpatient or Emergency Department attendances, a patient can be accompanied at the discretion of the treating clinician.

Dr Kanchan Rege, Chief Medical Officer for North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Unfortunately we are seeing an increase in the number of patients with coronavirus, which reflects local community figures too, so it is necessary for us to reintroduce some visiting restrictions as a result.

“This isn’t a decision we take lightly, and we hope that some of our initiatives such as iPads for FaceTime calls and our ‘Letters to Loved Ones’ initiative will help to make our patients’ stay in hospital easier, even with more restricted visiting in place.

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“Our visiting policy is regularly reviewed. Safety is always our top priority, balanced with our patients’ experience. We would like to thank everyone for adhering to our safety advice, and ask that everyone continues to do their bit by following national social distancing, face covering and hand washing guidelines, as these measures really do make a difference and help to minimise the spread of the virus.”

While the visiting restrictions have been introduced, all hospital services are continuing to operate.