The peak of admissions to Gloucestershire’s two main hospitals related to the coronavirus is expected to peak later this month, the local NHS says.

Health leaders in Gloucestershire added non-virus related services and care will still be provided for as many patients as possible across the county as developments around covid-19 continues to unfold.

The local NHS said the steps taken to cope with the anticipated pressure caused by covid-19 has been “unprecedented”.

As of yesterday (April 3), the number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Gloucestershire was at 224 and local deaths stood at 24.

So far thousands of hospital outpatient appointments have switched to telephone and video conferencing to avoid face to face contact, the hospitals trust chief executive Deborah Lee said.

Similarly GP surgeries has shifted to phone and video consultations for patients with health concerns other than coronavirus.

Here’s everything the local NHS has done so far to prepare for further coronavirus pressure, and the work the public has done in support.

Hospitals

Staff at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and Cheltenham General Hospital have seen extensive measures and preparations take place to prepare for the anticipated peak in admissions this month.

Hospitals trust chief executive Deborah Lee said: “The scale and depth of the steps taken are unprecedented and in making these changes we have adopted many of the best practices already seen in other parts of the country and internationally.

“Some of the measures taken include reducing all but cancer and life or limb threatening surgery to free up staff and beds for Covid-19 cases, fundamentally changing the way our wards and medical services work to reduce unnecessary contact between clinicians while wrapping the required care around patients. 

“We have switched thousands of outpatient appointments to telephone and video conferencing to avoid face to face contact while continuing to provide excellent patient care.  

“We have also introduced a wide range of staff support and wellbeing programmes providing practical as well as emotional and psychological support to colleagues on the frontline.

“Sadly, though, despite these measures many people have and will lose loved ones as a result of the pandemic. It is for them, their families and the many others who rely on us to care for them in their time of need that we will continue to provide our vital frontline services.” 

Community hospitals and mental health surgeries

Additional wards in Stroud and Cirencester hospitals have been set up, and minor injury units have temporarily closed in Tewkesbury Hospital, Vale Hospital and the Dilke.

The inpatient hospital services at these sites are unaffected.

John Trevains, director of nursing, therapies and quality at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, which provides community and mental health services and manages seven community hospitals and five mental health and learning disability inpatient units in the county, said: “Our whole NHS system in Gloucestershire is working in completely different ways, and we’ve introduced significant changes across our community and hospital based services. 

For us, this means we’ve been providing a testing service, for patients and staff, we’ve set up additional wards in Stroud and Cirencester Hospitals, we’ve rearranged other wards and we are providing many services differently, either over the telephone or digitally.

“Key for us has been ensuring our staff have access to the equipment and information they need to keep our patients safe and well, as well as ensure they themselves are well and able to continue delivering care. This includes, for example, access to childcare advice and mental health support. 

“Our colleagues – both clinical and non-clinical – are working in entirely different places and different roles in some cases and we’ve been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated at what is undoubtedly the most challenging time many of us have ever lived through.

“It’s a huge team effort and I’m proud of our Trust and our partner Trusts for everything we’re doing as a healthcare community.”

GP surgeries

The impact of covid-19 has changed the way GP surgeries in Gloucestershire have also had to run, with a big increase in phone and video consultations.

Groups of GP surgeries have worked together in local areas to set up community hubs where patients with potential symptoms of the coronavirus can have face to face advice.

Clinical Chair of NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group and local GP, Dr Andy Seymour said: “The pressure on surgeries has been huge as they put in place additional measures to keep patients and staff as safe as possible and maintain essential health services for those that need them. 

“Our practices have had to rapidly adapt to evolving guidance and put changes in place in their surgeries at record speed, whilst ensuring day to day patient care is not compromised. 

“The tremendous response and outpouring of support from the public for the NHS is recognition of the fact that in their day to day work, teams across the NHS are literally putting their lives on the line to care for others.”   

What has the Gloucestershire community done?

The local community has played a vital role in NHS preparations, from local organisations such as the University of Gloucestershire offering undergraduate nurses or staff accommodation, to local businesses and charities donating food and personal care parcels.

Communities have also been showing their support for staff by participating in the NHS clap of appreciation.

As it stands, accommodation is being provided for those who are isolating from their families while working, and free car parking has been introduced at both main hospitals and at other car parks around the county, so key workers can park without any added worry.

On top of that sanctuary rooms have been set up away from clinical areas and extended on-site catering offers have been put in place together with access to a wide range of wellbeing programmes. 

ENDS