Use the emergency hospitals

As I understand it, the emergency 'field' hospitals that have been built have not been required to date. Since they have been equipped to treat Covid-19 patients, why not move Covid patients (that can safely be moved) to these 'specialist' units and free-up space in the hospitals to allow them to start clearing the backlog of surgery, treatments and appointments that have had to be cancelled.

Why the contribution is important

1.It would keep Covid-19 in specialist, isolated centres where infection control would be easier to manage
2. Hospitals could return to some sort of normality by starting to treat patients on waiting lists
3. It would save the NHS money in the longer term by getting people treated for their ailments before they
need more extensive treatment
4. It would make use of the buildings and equipment that have cost millions of pounds and which will otherwise lie empty and un-used

by Ayrshire92 on May 05, 2020 at 06:38PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.9
Based on: 25 votes

Comments

  • Posted by JoeOH May 05, 2020 at 19:19

    Agree in principle, if we can transport the sick safely and with no added risk.
  • Posted by Kaypink May 05, 2020 at 19:41

    Totally agree; this is not going to go away quickly and other patients are dying while waiting for surgery!
  • Posted by Camir523 May 05, 2020 at 19:46

    I agree. Patients are transported all the time. We need possible cancer and other patients seen, tested and treated.
  • Posted by CG25 May 05, 2020 at 20:24

    Was about to start a thread saying the very same thing when I saw this. Makes complete sense- yes, transport for patients is going to need sorted but one place with all required equipment that’s already there should be used.
    Means other hospitals can start getting back to treating others instead of any other health condition (heart/ cancer etc etc) being delayed. Long term health of the country will be affected if hospitals aren’t functioning routinely.
  • Posted by Colin87 May 07, 2020 at 18:49

    I agree but seem to remember that these hospitals were not kitted out with ICU facilities. Not sure if these can be added easily
  • Posted by JMack May 11, 2020 at 13:51

    It is possible that the Louisa Jordan Hospital could play a role in early treatment and surveillance of Covid-19 patients as outlined in my earlier suggestion: "The Benefits of Early Health Interventions for Suspected Covid-19 Cases"

    As Covid-19 testing capability builds in Scotland, the opportunity to take a more proactive, early intervention approach to the illness opens up. As our understanding of the virus grows, it seems clear that through “silent hypoxia” and hidden damage to vital organs, many Covid patients are, in fact, very ill by the time they call 111 and are subsequently admitted to hospital, putting intense pressure on high-intensity medical services up to and including intensive care. I suggest that the Government and NHS in Scotland now gives active consideration to much earlier and closer medical intervention along the lines of the process that has operated in Germany. The following illustrative quote is from the Byline Times, 4th April:

    “Another reason why Germany has managed to limit the mortality rates is because of huge coordinated community engagement and outreach programme that helps to limit the spread of the disease within the cases of early mild and moderate symptoms. Germany set up a programme of ‘corona taxis’ – where doctors outfitted in protective gear, travel around their local communities to check on patients who are at home, a week into being sick with the coronavirus. They take a blood test from the patient, looking for signs that the patient is about to go into symptom decline. They then often suggest early hospitalisation, or offer medication to patients who have mild or moderate symptoms; therefore increasing the likelihood of minimising patient deterioration in the earlier stages of symptoms and improving the chances of surviving before any rapid infection decline by being in a hospital when symptoms begin.”
    Why the contribution is important
    1. The suggestion may be a significant contribution to saving lives.
    2. There may be improved health outcomes in terms of chronic health conditions arising from the virus. This is clearly good for the people affected, and good for the best use of NHS resources in the longer term.
    3. Once more people are back at work, enabling Covid sufferers to return to good health more quickly, and with less chronic secondary illness, will have beneficial effects for the Scottish economy.
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