KEY POINTS:
Hawkes Bay Hospital has never been so full, with unprecedented demand for beds leaving some patients to be treated on beds in the corridors.
Winter illnesses in both patients and hospital staff are being blamed for the increased pressure.
The hospital uses a traffic light system to indicate the number of beds available and has been on red, meaning no beds are available, for the past 13 days.
On a usual day in the emergency department there would be between 80 and 85 people coming in for treatment.
Last Tuesday, the emergency department assessed 113 people, 118 came in on Wednesday and on Thursday 109 people were treated by staff.
Usually between 28 and 32 would be admitted over 24 hours, but on Tuesday 52 were admitted to hospital, followed by 53 on Wednesday and another 50 on Thursday.
Chief operating officer Warrick Frater confirmed some patients were being put on trolley beds in corridors.
"This is clearly not an ideal situation, however, each case is assessed according to clinical priority, and when acutely ill people are being admitted 24 hours a day, this sometimes occurs," Mr Frater said. "This is unfortunate and I regret we had no other options."
Mr Frater said there had been a high number of elderly patients in the hospital recently, and they tended to require a longer hospital stay.
Staff sickness was also affecting the hospital's capacity. So many staff had been off sick last week that four acute beds had to be closed because they could not be covered safely.
"Staff who are working have been brilliant, with many working extra hours and extended shifts to cover for those who are unwell," Mr Frater said.
"We expect things to remain busy over the weekend, and will continue to ensure those in the greatest need receive treatment care first."
Mr Frater said he apologised in advance to those who would experience long waits at the hospital.
"I would urge people to see their family doctor earlier, rather than later and especially so if they are elderly and have a cold or flu-like illness that they can't shake.
" Hawke's Bay TodayHospital staff step up in hour of crisis
Hawkes Bay Hospital has never been so full, with unprecedented demand for beds leaving some patients to be treated on beds in the corridors.
Winter illnesses in both patients and hospital staff are being blamed for the increased pressure.
The hospital uses a traffic light system to indicate the number of beds available and has been on red, meaning no beds are available, for the past 13 days.
On a usual day in the emergency department there would be between 80 and 85 people coming in for treatment.
Last Tuesday, the emergency department assessed 113 people, 118 came in on Wednesday and on Thursday 109 people were treated by staff.
Usually between 28 and 32 would be admitted over 24 hours, but on Tuesday 52 were admitted to hospital, followed by 53 on Wednesday and another 50 on Thursday.
Chief operating officer Warrick Frater confirmed some patients were being put on trolley beds in corridors.
"This is clearly not an ideal situation, however, each case is assessed according to clinical priority, and when acutely ill people are being admitted 24 hours a day, this sometimes occurs," Mr Frater said. "This is unfortunate and I regret we had no other options."
Mr Frater said there had been a high number of elderly patients in the hospital recently, and they tended to require a longer hospital stay.
Staff sickness was also affecting the hospital's capacity. So many staff had been off sick last week that four acute beds had to be closed because they could not be covered safely.
"Staff who are working have been brilliant, with many working extra hours and extended shifts to cover for those who are unwell," Mr Frater said.
"We expect things to remain busy over the weekend, and will continue to ensure those in the greatest need receive treatment care first."
Mr Frater said he apologised in advance to those who would experience long waits at the hospital.
"I would urge people to see their family doctor earlier, rather than later and especially so if they are elderly and have a cold or flu-like illness that they can't shake.
" Hawke's Bay Today
