A&E admissions to Countess of Chester Hospital during Christmas period much higher than last year

Dec 31 2009 Chester Chronicle

THE number of patients admitted to the Countess of Chester Hospital’s emergency department rose by 63% on Boxing Day compared to last year.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were reasonably quiet but the hospital has been busy since Boxing Day.

On December 26 a total of 242 patients were seen, compared to 148 last year. On Bank Holiday Monday 250 patients were treated, compared to 168 people in 2008.

Medical director Dr Virginia Clough said the hospital had prepared itself for the four-day Christmas break, when GPs surgeries were closed, causing more patients than usual to visit A&E.

An extra 30-bedroomed ward had been made available, which was full on Tuesday.

Dr Clough said many of the patients were elderly people suffering from chest infections during the cold weather.

A number of people had been admitted due to injuries due to, for example, slipping on the ice, resulting in an extra ‘trauma theatre’ being opened.

Dr Clough said the hospital was having to deal with drink- related injuries every night, which was ‘unhelpful’.

Urging revellers to take care on New Year’s Eve, she said: “We all like a bit of revelry but we don’t want drunks coming in here so please drink sensibly. Inevitably it puts more pressure on the A&E department if they fall over and hit their head.”

A new centre for patients who turn up at the hospital with non- urgent conditions had proved invaluable in taking pressure off the A&E department.

Dr Clough described the staff as ‘fantastic’.