Coronavirus: critical care capacity increased at West Sussex hospitals

The number of critical care units have increased at hospitals in two West Sussex hospitals.
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A statement from the chief nurse at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said services at St Richard's Hospital in Chichester and Worthing Hospital are liekly to come under 'intense pressure' amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Chief nurse Maggie Davies asked member of the public to support NHS staff and volunteers by staying at home.

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She said: “Our services are likely to come under intense pressure as the coronavirus spreads, and we are preparing as many beds available as possible to care for patients with severe respiratory problems.

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“Consequently, we have expanded our critical care capacity at both St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester and Worthing Hospital and we continue to prepare other wards and clinical areas to receive patients with COVID-19.

“To support these measures, every hospital in England has been asked to suspend all non-urgent elective operations we have stood down all non-essential activity in our hospitals.

“Urgent and emergency cases and cancer treatments will be carrying on as normal, but we know many people waiting for treatment will be disappointed or worried, and we will be contacting everyone affected as soon as possible.

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“Unless you have heard directly from the trust, or you are self-isolating due to symptoms or shielding, please do attend your appointment or let the relevant department know by using the contact details in your appointment letter.

“To protect our patients and staff, we also made the difficult decision last week to suspend visiting until further notice, except in exceptional circumstances which families should discuss with the ward manager. We hope families will use technology to maintain contact with their loved ones while they are in hospital.

“Our staff and volunteers are doing an incredible job under truly extraordinary circumstances at the moment. Please support them by staying at home, to save lives and protect the NHS. Thank you.”

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