A woman whose father was admitted to Royal Blackburn Hospital with a respiratory infection said she was shocked that he was placed on what she believed was a ‘Covid ward.’
The man, who did not wish to be identified but is from Blackburn, was admitted to the hospital at the start of the month and had to wait more than 30 hours in a hospital corridor before he could be put on a ward.
His daughter, who contacted the Lancashire Telegraph, said when she went to visit her father, there were signs on the door to Ward C3 saying ‘Outbreak’ and she was asked to sanitise and wear a mask.
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She said her father suffers from respiratory issues and has other long-standing problems like diabetes and COPD.
East Lancashire Hospitals Trust (ELHT), which runs Royal Blackburn Hospital, said Covid is not cared for in close proximity to other patients and if there is anyone with an infectious illness in a side room, colleagues and visitors are asked to use hand gels and masks.
They also said that no Covid wards are currently in operation due to the low rates of infection, and that the NHS definition of an 'outbreak' is two or more people.
Executive medical director and deputy chief executive of ELHT, Jawad Hussain, sad: “This is an additional pressure for teams who continue to manage very high demand, particularly in our urgent and emergency care pathways and especially in A&E at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital.
“It’s important to say that whilst patients are waiting for a bed they are actively being cared for, supported by colleagues who are doing their best in very difficult and challenging circumstances, and their medical needs are monitored through robust and thorough systems.”
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The trust’s deputy chief executive and chief operating officer, Sharon Gilligan, added that the A&E department at Royal Blackburn Hospital is one of the busiest emergency departments in the North West.
She said this can sometimes “unfortunately” lead to corridor space being used for patients when all cubicles are full.
“It is not something any of us want to do but when there is no other available space, it is our only option,” she added.
Both urged people to only attend urgent or emergency centres if their needs are life-threatening, otherwise, NHS 111 has clinicians who can immediately guide you to the most appropriate place for help.
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