The Royal Liverpool Hospital has issued a full capacity alert for the second time in as many weeks.
Just 24 hours after patients began moving into the new site, the hospital has had to warn of a “very high demand” for medical beds in its emergency department (ED). In an email to staff sent by Dr Oliver Zuzan, medical director at the Royal, it is warned that there is “very limited space in (ED) to see emergency presentations” and no capacity in GP assessment units.
This, it said, would add to long waits in the ED. Earlier this month, a similar warning was issued by bosses at the Royal, with ambulances having to be held outside the hospital and no space available in its resuscitation areas. Yesterday marked the first day of a 24-day move from the current Royal Liverpool Hospital to the new site.
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The Liverpool University NHS Foundation Trust is aiming to have staff, patients and services fully moved into the new hospital by October 21. In his email, Dr Zuzan said staff should “identify definite discharges” as well any potential patients suitable for transfer to Clatterbridge Hospital on the Wirral.
The medical director said medical teams should provide additional support to ED and acute medical units where possible. The full capacity protocol has been implemented for a minimum of 12 hours.
All senior clinical staff have been instructed to support the wards at the hospital. Patients are to be reviewed for discharge with delays to be flagged to senior management, the email said.
Dr Zuzan’s note said delays step downs from critical care risks delaying operating theatres and patient cancellations. During the protocol activation earlier this month, a Trust spokesperson said: “The full capacity protocol is activated due to a high number of patient attendances in our Emergency Department.
“This protocol is used nationally and is designed to support patient flow for emergency and urgent care teams caring for patients awaiting treatment. People with serious medical emergencies will always be prioritised for treatment and we would ask people with less urgent concerns to contact NHS 111 for advice on alternative services.”
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