‘Sharp increase’ in Covid-19 patients at Peterborough hospital trust

The trust operates Peterborough City, Hinchingbrooke and Stamford and Rutland hospitals.

With infection rates rising across the country and reports of hospitals struggling to cope with demand, the Peterborough Telegraph asked:

. How the trust is currently coping with rising Covid cases?

. Whether additional capacity has been brought in?

. If there are staff shortages due to positive cases/self-isolation?

. If the trust can assure residents that it is in a position to treat all patients who need help?

In response, trust chief operating officer Graham Wilde said: “We have seen a sharp increase in the number of patients with Covid-19 presenting at our hospitals as community transmission rates increase, and we have robust plans in place across our hospital sites to help us manage increased pressures that the winter season always brings.

“Members of the public can do their bit by following hands, face, space guidance and getting the most appropriate help for their condition – including GPs, pharmacies, local urgent treatment centres and NHS 111, which can provide advice if you’re unsure.”

The trust said winter plans include increasing staffing levels where appropriate and working to get patients back into community settings.

Moreover, a new NHS 111 pilot has launched at Peterborough City Hospital’s Emergency Department to try and reduce waiting times.

Peterborough is currently in Tier 4, meaning it has the most stringent restrictions which include non-essential shops having to close.

Since the pandemic started, 269 patients with coronavirus have died at Peterborough City Hospital, with the figure rising to 391 across the trust’s three hospitals.

The number of patients being cared for at the hospitals had also risen to 161.

In May, trust chief executive Caroline Walker admitted that tackling the crisis had been “truly scary at times” with staff praised for their incredible efforts.

She said the city hospital’s ICU (Intensive Care Unit) had increased five-fold to tackle the crisis but that the hospital in Bretton had coped with the surge in demand.