Risk of A&E 'crowding' at Pinderfields and Dewsbury Hospitals as patient numbers exceed pre-pandemic levels

Hospital chiefs have warned there's a risk of "crowding" at local Accident and Emergency departments.
Pinderfields HospitalPinderfields Hospital
Pinderfields Hospital

The number of people attending at Dewsbury Hospital and Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield has risen above pre-pandemic levels to around 800 a day, the trust which runs both sites said.

The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust said it was trying to bolster alternatives to A&E for patients who do not need emergency care.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Speaking at a trust board meeting on Thursday, chief operating officer Trudie Davies said: "We have identified a risk that we are experiencing extremely high A&E attendance levels.

Dewsbury Hospital, which is also run by the trust.Dewsbury Hospital, which is also run by the trust.
Dewsbury Hospital, which is also run by the trust.

"They are now at pre-pandemic numbers-plus.

"So we've got very busy A & E departments, with up to 800 patients per day in those departments."

Ms Davies said that there was a "high proportion of low acuity patients" - people who do not need immediate medical attention - using A & E.

She added: "This is causing a risk of crowding.

"We are looking at our provision to ensure our alternatives to A&E are robust."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A&E attendance at Pinderfields and Dewsbury fell dramatically after the first lockdown was imposed in March 2020, though it did creep back up again over the course of the year.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Related topics: