NHS Forth Valley prepares for winter peak as it struggles to cope with numbers

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Work is underway to ensure NHS Forth Valley can cope with an expected rise in hospital admissions over the winter peak. NHS Forth Valley's chief executive, Cathie Cowan, told the board that there is a "whole system" approach to tackling the massive challenges facing Forth Valley Royal's emergency department and out of hours services.The winter plans aims to find ways to cope with an expected rise in covid, flu and norovirus, at a time when the hospital already has five patients in wards that are meant for four and extra beds in treatment rooms. READ MORE: NHS Forth Valley board to do 'everything possible' to address problems that led to special measures Particular focus is being put on improving how quickly patients are discharged from the hospital as delays mean the 'flow' of patients through the hospital seizes up.Ms Cowan said work is ongoing in a number of areas and they are implementing the ‘Discharge without Delay’ improvement programme.This includes finding ways to get more people discharged before noon and at weekends when key members of staff are not always available.Work has also started to increase the number of beds available for community-based care, which will enable patients who are well enough to be moved from the acute hospital into care homes or be cared for at home.The Hospital at Home service, which supports people to be discharged early, will be increased.Twenty additional community beds will also be opened in Falkirk Community Hospital and Stirling Community hospital and there are longer term studies to look at how they can increase the overall bed capacity in the longer term.Falkirk Live brings you the latest headlines from Falkirk and beyond.But did you know all the ways you can stay informed