Team SaTH pulls together as hospitals face high demand

5 January 2018

Staff at Shropshire’s two acute hospitals have been praised for the way they have pulled together to care for patients amid very high demand across the NHS.

The hospitals have seen more than 130 people in its two Emergency Departments during peak times, with some elective appointments being postponed as teams prioritise the care of urgent and emergency patients.

But despite the high demand, the teams working at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust (SaTH), which runs the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, and across the wider health and care system, have been working tirelessly to ensure the best possible care for patients.

Simon Wright, Chief Executive at SaTH, said: “The demand currently facing our two hospitals and, indeed, the wider NHS locally and nationally, has been well reported on. We are currently seeing hundreds of people in our two Emergency Departments and a very high number of admissions, which means all of our ward areas are full.

“What is not so well reported is the incredible commitment of staff during times like this. We have seen colleagues voluntarily staying behind after their shift has ended to ensure that patients are being looked after with as much care and kindness as possible. We have had people coming into work when they are not on the rota to help with shortage on night shifts.

“That commitment to our patients does not just extend to our fantastic clinical staff. Our catering teams, for example, have been great in making sure the departments have refreshments when they might be finding it hard to get away for a drink.

“I also want to thank our patients, who have been incredibly understanding if they have had long waits in the hospital or if we have, unfortunately, had to postpone their elective operations. Where we have postponed procedures, staff have been reallocated to work in other areas, and I would like to say a big thank you to them for being so flexible with their working arrangements.”

Simon also praised colleagues in the wider health and care system for their support.

He said: “Our local authority colleagues have been working really hard to help us to ensure we that patients with complex discharge needs are able to leave hospital. We have also had excellent support from our Clinical Commissioning Groups and other hospitals in the area, such as the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry and community hospitals, who have been ensuring that their beds are available and reaching into our hospitals to help out when and where they can.

“Although the current situation is very challenging for us, it also shows what incredible people work in our hospitals and in the NHS. I am very proud of our teams here at SaTH and want to publicly extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of them for their amazing care, kindness and dedication and such a difficult time.”