As NHS services are seeing growing numbers of patients being admitted to hospital, and more of these people are needing treatment in intensive care, hospitals in Lancashire and South Cumbria have benefitted from an additional £12million to expand the number of critical care, specialist respiratory and enhanced care beds.
Patient safety remains of the highest importance and this will help support resilience during any increased Covid demands.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust have worked together to enhance critical care facilities ahead of the winter period to support people across Lancashire and South Cumbria.
Kevin McGee, Chief Executive of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, speaking on behalf of hospitals in Lancashire and South Cumbria, said:
“Throughout the pandemic, the NHS has been here for you and emergency departments have remained open. If you do have to go to hospital, please be assured that it is as safe as possible. NHS staff are following strict social distancing and hygiene measures to allow people to access care safely. Please do not hesitate to access emergency treatment if you need it.
“We have put measures in place across NHS services to best protect patients and staff, such as temporarily restricting hospital visiting. We absolutely appreciate the frustrations this creates for patients and their families and would like to thank them for their continued support during this unprecedented situation.
“As we now see rising rates of Covid in the community and with the added pressures of winter, this funding will help us to continue to deliver safe and high quality care in this new normal and meet the needs of people in Lancashire and South Cumbria.” If you need advice but it is not an emergency, it is best to first access NHS 111 online or call NHS 111 or contact your GP. Face coverings should be worn at all times inside hospitals, GP practices and pharmacies, unless you are exempt from wearing one