Data shows that roughly 10 percent of our NHS workers are now either isolated or on sick leave, while Secretary of Transportation Grant Shapps confirmed that 17 trusts – 12.4 percent of them – are on critical footing in the war of infection.
Mr Shapps said it was “not entirely uncommon for hospitals to become critical over the winter,” but acknowledged that there was “very real pressures”.
Government figures show that a total of 17,276 people are in UK hospitals using
Covid from January 4th by 58 percent compared to the week.
It’s the highest number since February 19 last year, but well below the high of nearly 40,000 in January 2021.
The staff canteen of the Royal Preston Hospital, the Charters Restaurant, was temporarily closed on Tuesday so that a makeshift ward with 50 beds can be opened in its place, in addition to the construction of the Covid Nightingale Surge Hub with 100 places in the visitor car park.
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals said, “We are also looking at other potential spaces, including our physio-gyms. There could be about 50 beds there.”
Matthew Taylor, chairman of the board of directors of the NHS Confederation, urged the government to go beyond Plan B measures, which the cabinet had left in place through Jan. 26.
He said: “The government must now do everything in its power to mobilize more manpower and resources for the NHS to get through this extremely challenging period.”
To alleviate the personnel crisis, tens of thousands of medical students could be sent to Covid wards.