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PM said today that the NHS in London has "coped magnificently". He also said "ICU capacity has not yet been overwhelmed in the way some of us feared it might be."
Yday in Northwick Park hospital, northwest London, their head of ICU told me they're managing "1 or 2 beds ahead"
Yday in Northwick Park hospital, northwest London, their head of ICU told me they're managing "1 or 2 beds ahead"
Northwick's infectious disease lead told me roughly 75% of the hospital is taken up with covid patients. He says people have died (and are dying) because "we've lost control of this disease." Says if numbers rise further: "We will run out of beds. We will not be able to cope."
Few would doubt the sentiment that the NHS staff have been magnificent but the idea of coping is deeply contested
As one of their top bowel surgeons told me they are “overwhelmed” and are only “coping” because the hospital has stopped doing almost anything else but Covid and...
As one of their top bowel surgeons told me they are “overwhelmed” and are only “coping” because the hospital has stopped doing almost anything else but Covid and...
...emergency treatments. Normally one of the country’s top bowel surgeons, Prof Sue Clarke is now on ITU, which has expanded into ward after ward.
This isn’t a choice, it has to be done. But that’s the cost of the disease being so rampant.
Clark told me the hospital...
This isn’t a choice, it has to be done. But that’s the cost of the disease being so rampant.
Clark told me the hospital...
...”still haven’t actually seen all the patients who were referred to us and cancelled during the first wave in outpatients.“
She tells me she thinks it will take “years” to get on top of the backlog and for the full effects on health of the population to be felt.
She tells me she thinks it will take “years” to get on top of the backlog and for the full effects on health of the population to be felt.
The hospital’s head of surgery tells me it’s this backlog and myriad missed appointments, cancelled early scans “keeps me up at night.”
Worst case scenario,l people lose their lives as a result or live with “sub optimal” health outcomes.
This is what “coping” looks like.
Worst case scenario,l people lose their lives as a result or live with “sub optimal” health outcomes.
This is what “coping” looks like.
On A & E, the chief nurse tells me staff are working above and beyond anything they’ve seen before: “We’ve crammed 12 months of emergency medicine into 4 weeks.”
That’s not sustainable. They’re running 2 a and es (one Covid one non Covid) with the same staff.
That’s not sustainable. They’re running 2 a and es (one Covid one non Covid) with the same staff.
The Trust CEO tells me that they’ve had to dilute nurse to patient ratios in ITU to 1-3 from 1-1. When I ask him if he thinks this is safe he replied “yes...just safe.”
Again- this is coping.
Again- this is coping.
There’s a fair bit of discontent from some staff at rule breaking yes but also late action from government which has led to greater hospitalisation and greater pressure.
That coupled with the fact there were staff vacancies going into the pandemic and substantial waiting times.
That coupled with the fact there were staff vacancies going into the pandemic and substantial waiting times.
That’s made “coping” more difficult still.
Full report coming up on @BBCNewsnight in a few minutes, BBC2. Do tune in.
Full report coming up on @BBCNewsnight in a few minutes, BBC2. Do tune in.
