The website of the Clinical Services Journal

Reviewing the flow of patients in and out of the NHS

Kate Woodhead RGN DMS considers the extreme pressures being faced by the NHS and what needs to be done to address the ‘gridlock’ currently being experienced across the system.

The perfect storm is hitting the NHS at present, with patients queuing at the front door and not being able to progress any further for hours at a time. Patients are waiting to be admitted and so are stuck until a bed becomes available, or they are in the back of an ambulance until such time as they can be seen and triaged in A&E. Due to other pressures, it is also proving problematic to release some patients back home or to a community system, following their treatment. The whole system is thus gridlocked. 

It is a significant problem for both the patients and the healthcare professionals trying to deliver care. The consequences across the NHS are considerable, despite the preparation and planning which has gone into place since last summer. Social care too has immense problems and despite many residential homes having rooms available, they have no staff to support patients, so patients stay in hospital, although they are medically fit to be discharged. 

Politicians are staying remarkably quiet, leaving patients and clinicians to fill the media with pictures and quotes. There are no easy answers but a short review of the ideas and plans which have been put in place may help to inform. 

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Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Exeter

University of Exeter
22nd June 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

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