Almost 1,000 Recover From Corona Virus
According to latest figures revealed in the trust’s board report for St George’s Hospital
The latest figures were revealed in the trust’s board report, which also showed that the hospital has passed the first peak and the number of patients with the virus remains low.
The number of patients coming into hospital with coronavirus per week had reduced to 30 as of June 16.
This was down from a peak of 304 per week on April 2.
Likewise, the number of patients in intensive care has reduced to six, down from a peak of 83 on April 12.
A total of 945 patients who tested positive for the virus have been discharged, but sadly 297 have died.
“Our forecast is that we will continue to plateau in respect of Covid-19 patients,” said Robert Bleasdale, Chief Nurse and Director of Infection Prevention and Control.
He said that the trust still has more capacity than demand for coronavirus patients: “As the current social distancing measures are eased, we will continue to track the impact closely on forecast demand, seven to 14 days in advance as part of the Trust site operational meetings,” he said.
However the virus has had a significant impact on the trust’s finances, resulting in £6.6m being spent in April and May.
This was due to additional staffing costs to support increased intensive care capacity and cover for staff screening and isolating as well as increased cleaning costs and costs for testing.
Non-NHS income of £1.2m has also been lost due to lost car parking and catering income, as well as private patient income.
It has also been difficult to persuade some patients to come into hospital for other operations.
Chief Executive Jacqueline Totterdell, said: “This is entirely understandable and to be expected,” and that the trust is “working hard to reassure patients and the public that we will keep them safe whilst under our care”.
Board members were also updated on the new coronavirus risk assessments for staff, after studies showed people from a black and minority ethnic background were at higher risk of coronavirus.
This looks at risk to staff based on factors such as age, ethnicity and existing health conditions and provides a score. Depending on the score, there may be adjustments to someone’s working environment or a referral to occupational health.
As of June 15 2020 the HR department had received 2,271 completed risk assessments across the trust.
Ms Totterdell also took an opportunity to respond to the killing of George Floyd in the US, and the Black Lives Matter protests across the globe, reinforcing her commitment to “making St George’s a truly diverse and inclusive organisation; whilst also acknowledging that, sadly, there are still too many examples of discrimination within our organisation”.
She said: “Some of our BAME staff have been the subject of racist abuse, including from colleagues. Listening events held last month showed the extent of the problem in some areas; which, whilst still the exception rather than the rule, are disgusting, unacceptable, and proof (if it were needed) that we need to work much, much harder to tackle discrimination wherever we see it.
“I received a number of replies to my message from staff, both welcoming my words but, rightly, asking what we, as an executive team and trust board, are going to do to tackle the problem. For me, this is a fair challenge, and we are currently reviewing our approach. However, this is something we all need to take responsibility for – and that, together as a wider organisation, we jointly need to find a way to improve.
“The Black Lives Matter movement has shown that there is a real need and yearning for change. And, as a diverse employer representing diverse communities, we have to step up and play our part in changing the conversation so every member of staff, whoever they are, or whatever their role, feels they will be treated equally; and, if they aren’t, that they truly
believe and trust that we will listen and act on their concerns. We have a duty to get this right, and constantly challenge ourselves; it is what our staff deserve, and what our patients rightly expect.”
Sian Bayley - Local Democracy Reporter
July 3, 2020