The Royal Lancaster Infirmary is extremely busy and is currently at the highest level of alert.
“Our teams are working incredibly hard to maintain safe services for patients and help us cope with the significant and growing demand,” University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust stated yesterday.
“You can help us during this time by using the right NHS service for your needs and only visiting A&E in life threatening and serious emergencies.”
“If you are unwell and aren’t sure what to do, visit NHS 111 online for 24/7 advice.
“If you are not contacted directly, please continue to turn up for your appointment or tell us if you are no longer able to make it so the appointment can be reallocated to another patient.
“Thank you for your understanding and patience.”
• University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust Official Website
Operations Pressure Escalation Levels 4 Escalation Announced
Due to increased pressures at Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), the Trust have taken the decision to escalate RLI to OPEL 4 – the highest level of internal escalation. This allows them to be able to take additional steps to maintain safe services for patients and help the RLI cope with the significant and growing demand they are facing.
Operations Pressure Escalation Levels (OPEL) is a method used by the NHS to measure the stress, demand and pressure a hospital is under, with OPEL 4 representing the high escalation level. OPEL 4 is declared when a hospital is ‘unable to deliver comprehensive care’ and patient safety is at risk.
Whilst Furness General Hospital is also operating with some pressures, the decision to declare OPEL 4 has been made due to the high demand the Trust are seeing at RLI.
“The safety of our patients and colleagues is vital,” they outline, “and the decision to declare OPEL 4 at RLI acknowledges that we are at a point where we cannot continue in the way we are due to the increased risk of harm.”
There are some immediate actions being taken by Trust teams and its partners, including:
- Utilising all alternative options to the Emergency Department
- Community colleagues focusing on admission avoidance activities and expediting discharges where possible
- Acute Medical Unit, frailty and medical colleagues reviewing patients with a discharge ready date to see if these can be safely brought forward
- Cancellation of non-essential meetings/activities by all divisions to redirect clinician time to patient-facing activities
- Seeking support from local partner organisationsThere are some immediate actions being taken by Trust teams and our partners, including:
What the public can do to help
The public can help manage these periods of high demand by ensuring they are seeking help from the most appropriate health services and only attending A&E for serious accidents and emergencies. If you are unwell, visit NHS 111 online for 24/7 advice about the most appropriate care for your needs.
Hospital teams continue to work exceptionally hard and the Trust would like to reassure patients and the public that despite the challenges faced, essential services remain fully open for anyone who needs them. If you require urgent medical help, please continue to come forward.
If you are not contacted directly, please continue to turn up for your appointment. Contact the number on your appointment letter if you are no longer able to make your appointment so it can be reallocated to another patient.
• University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust Official Website