Key Points:
- Queen’s Hospital A&E in Romford identified as the “number one risk” by BHRUT chief executive Matthew Trainer.
- Emergency department experiencing record demand, leading to patients being treated in corridors.
- Mr Trainer criticises the hospital’s A&E design as “particularly poorly designed and particularly crowded”.
- NHS England recognises the department is too small and cramped.
- Increased demand attributed to population growth, Covid-19 impacts, and a tough winter.
- Havering has the lowest number of GPs per capita in London, contributing to A&E overcrowding.
- Rising cases of flu, respiratory illnesses, and social issues leading to more A&E visits.
- Homeless individuals and elderly people facing loneliness seen frequently in the department.
- Discharge of medically fit patients hindered by social issues like homelessness and lack of care packages.
- BHRUT working with Havering Council to address social care challenges.
- Additional nurses and support workers hired to manage corridor care.
- Mr Trainer calls for £35 million investment to expand A&E space.
- Local MPs supportive of investment campaign.
Why Is Queen’s Hospital A&E Facing Record Demand?
ROMFORD, UK – The Accident and Emergency (A&E) department at Queen’s Hospital has been identified as the “number one risk” for the Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT), according to chief executive Matthew Trainer.
What Are the Challenges at Queen’s Hospital A&E?
The emergency department has been overwhelmed by record demand, with patients being treated in corridors due to space constraints. Mr Trainer has described Queen’s A&E as “probably the worst designed one I’ve been in,” criticising its overcrowded layout.
“I used to work for the CQC [Care Quality Commission] so I inspected a lot of A&Es, and the Queen’s one is particularly poorly designed and particularly crowded.”
Why Is Demand So High?
Mr Trainer attributes the rising demand to multiple factors, including:
- Population growth in Havering.
- Lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
- A particularly severe winter season.
- Increased cases of flu and respiratory illnesses in December and January.
- Difficulty accessing GP services, with Havering having the lowest number of GPs per capita in London.
“People still struggle to see their GP or get help outside of hospital so they end up here.”
Are Social Issues Contributing to A&E Overcrowding?
Beyond medical emergencies, Queen’s Hospital A&E is also seeing an increase in patients due to social issues. Homeless individuals and elderly residents facing loneliness are among those seeking refuge in the hospital.
“More mental health, more social issues, more issues with housing. Talking to some of our staff over Christmas, they said they saw a lot of people who were very lonely – elderly people living on their own.”
Mr Trainer recalled a particularly cold winter night when eight homeless individuals sought shelter in the hospital’s atrium, returning night after night for warmth.
How Is This Impacting Patient Discharge?
The challenges extend beyond A&E admissions. Discharging medically fit patients has become increasingly difficult due to homelessness and inadequate care packages from social care providers.
“Homelessness has become more of an issue when discharging patients, as has getting the right care package arranged with social care providers.”
What Measures Is the Trust Taking?
Despite the severe situation, Mr Trainer said the trust is working to mitigate the crisis:
- Collaborating with Havering Council to address social care challenges.
- Hiring additional nurses and support staff to provide care in corridors.
- Advocating for a £35 million investment to expand A&E space.
What Is the Proposed Solution?
Mr Trainer believes the only viable long-term solution is securing significant funding to expand the hospital’s A&E department. He highlighted the importance of public awareness and local political support for the initiative:
“I think it’s important that the public knows [why the investment is needed] and our MPs have all been very supportive.”
The ongoing efforts by hospital staff, despite difficult circumstances, were also praised by Mr Trainer:
“A&E staff are a fantastic bunch who work incredibly hard in some very difficult circumstances.”
With Queen’s Hospital A&E at breaking point, the trust is urging for urgent funding to ensure better patient care and a more sustainable future for emergency services in Romford.
