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Managing our services this winter

November 18, 2021

We know that this winter will be particularly challenging due to COVID-19, a difficult flu season and more acutely unwell patients who had either delayed seeking medical help or had their treatment paused during the pandemic.

  • We are working with colleagues across primary care, social care and the voluntary sector to respond to the increase in the number of patients who will need help this winter
  • We are also working with neighbouring hospital Trusts to plan together and provide mutual support
  • Our Clinical Leadership Executive have agreed to prioritise additional investment in schemes that help patients stay well at home, avoid admission to hospital and enable patients who are admitted to get home at the right time with the right support.

Additional schemes that we are aiming to set up this winter include:

  • Extend opening hours of the Urgent Treatment Centres and GP support at both sites until midnight
  • Additional support to all care homes in Sandwell
  • Frailty services to help older, at risk people, stay well at home or respond quickly to those who come into hospital
  • Seven day Single Point of Access services
  • Increasing the layout and input into our same day emergency care services

We will also continue with essential services including the weekend discharge teams, seven day respiratory and cardiology admissions avoidance.

Review staffing and recruitment to wards that are needed now and over winter.

A big part of our planning is getting high rates of flu and COVID-19 vaccination. We must all play our part.

For further information contact Liam Kennedy or Johanne Newens.