Hospitals in England are increasingly feeling the pressure, with rising numbers of COVID patients and staff shortages.
Four out of five hospitals experienced potentially dangerously high bed occupancy rates in the week to 2 January, according to the fifth instalment of NHS England’s weekly winter pressure reports for this year.
And those pressure are echoed on Merseyside.
The Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust recorded a tenfold increase in COVID related staff absences in a month, according to the figures.
In the week November 29 to December 5 the Trust recorded nine COVID absences. Four weeks later, in the week December 27 to January 2 the same hospital trust recorded 91 COVID related absences.
When are hospitals too busy?
Hospitals are considered to be too busy if more than 85% of their available general and acute beds are occupied by patients. After this, patient care is thought to be compromised.
General and acute beds are for people admitted from A&E, by their GP, or who are recovering post surgery. It excludes beds in intensive care, maternity, and mental health wards.
The data shows a number of North West hospital trusts, including Aldey Hey and Southport & Ormskirk had to operate above that 85% threshold.
Check below to see how your local hospital trust fared.
England hospital trusts (average)
COVID-related staff absence:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up 197.%.
Total staff absences:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up 37.32%.
In the latest week, was this average over the 85% threshold at which hospitals are said to be too busy?
Yes.
Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust (Specialist)
COVID-related staff absence:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up 413.2%.
Total staff absences:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up 55.71%.
In the latest week, was this hospital over the 85% threshold at which hospitals are said to be too busy?
Yes.
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
COVID-related staff absence:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up 278.6%.
Total staff absences:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up 50.2%.
In the latest week, was this hospital over the 85% threshold at which hospitals are said to be too busy?
Yes.
Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (Specialist)
COVID-related staff absence:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up 927.4%.
Total staff absences:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up 96.68%.
In the latest week, was this hospital over the 85% threshold at which hospitals are said to be too busy?
No.
Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust (Specialist)
COVID-related staff absence:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up 182.0%.
Total staff absences:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up 45.70%.
In the latest week, was this hospital over the 85% threshold at which hospitals are said to be too busy?
No.
Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust (Acute)
COVID-related staff absence:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up 210.5%.
Total staff absences:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up 39.65%.
In the latest week, was this hospital over the 85% threshold at which hospitals are said to be too busy?
Yes.
St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
COVID-related staff absence:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up 210.5%.
Total staff absences:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up 62.50%.
In the latest week, was this hospital over the 85% threshold at which hospitals are said to be too busy?
Yes.
The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust (Specialist)
COVID-related staff absence:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up 530.7%.
Total staff absences:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up 75.41%.
In the latest week, was this hospital over the 85% threshold at which hospitals are said to be too busy?
No.
The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust (Specialist)
COVID-related staff absence:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up 7.2%.
Total staff absences:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up -6.40%.
In the latest week, was this hospital over the 85% threshold at which hospitals are said to be too busy?
No.
Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
COVID-related staff absence:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up 326%.
Total staff absences:
Percentage change between this week and a month ago November 29 to January 2: up 52.1%.
In the latest week, was this hospital over the 85% threshold at which hospitals are said to be too busy?
Yes