An eight-bedded mobile ward from Vanguard Healthcare Solutions has recently arrived at Hereford County Hospital to help manage the increase in demand on hospital services, particularly as the Wye Valley NHS Trust prepares for winter pressures.
The number of patients attending the Hereford hospital’s Emergency Department suffering from major illnesses or injuries traditionally rises through winter, but this year this increase has continued throughout the spring and summer months – latterly Emergency Department attendances have increased by extra 10-20 patients every day.
In 2016 Hereford County Hospital admitted around 190 adult patients a week through its Emergency Department, but last year the figure rose to 225, and this year it stands at 250 – an almost 30 per cent increase in the past two years.
“Our priority is to ensure we deliver safe and efficient care during periods of high demand, particularly during the winter period,” said Wye Valley NHS Trust managing director, Jane Ives. “The Vanguard unit provides a high quality clinical environment, and will help us now and also as we prepare for winter pressures.”
Located in the car park near the Radiotherapy Unit, the mobile hospital ward has been connected centrally to the main hospital to ensure easy access to other clinical areas. The partnership between Wye Valley NHS Trust and Vanguard is long-standing; the company has previously provided facilities to support the hospital including a mobile clinic and a mobile operating theatre.
