HUNDREDS of people are in hospital with Covid across the North East as rising numbers add to the pressure faced by NHS services across the country.

There have been calls from the NHS Confederation to reconsider its Living with Covid plan as it said ministers risk “abandoning” the NHS if they do not take action.

It said high rates of Covid-19 infections are having a “major impact” on the health service.

Across the North East and North Yorkshire, there are 852 patients with Covid being treated in hospitals.

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In County Durham and Darlington, the most recent figures show there were 119 patients being treated with Covid.

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust reported 149 patients, and North Tees and Hartlepool had 77.

People are being reminded that they can catch the virus more than once and risk developing complications, even if they do not become seriously ill.

And those visiting hospitals are reminded that precautions are still in place to protect protect patients, visitors and staff - including the wearing of face masks and social distancing. 

A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said, “As Covid-19 infection rates continue to be very high, we would like to remind people that precautions are still in place in our hospitals. 

"These are to protect both our vulnerable patients and visitors.  They also help protect our staff so they can continue caring for our patients.  Face masks are required and available at entrances and we have social distancing measures in place, including in lifts.

"Many of our patients are reassured by these safety measures and we respectfully ask everyone to follow them.  Infection control measures also continue to be followed by our community teams.”

A South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: “Our doctors and nurses are currently caring for patients with the virus on three wards at The James Cook University Hospital.

“Around two-fifths of Covid-19 patients are receiving care in hospital because the virus has made them poorly enough to need treatment.

“However, the remaining three-fifths of patients with the virus still need to be isolated and cared for by our clinicians wearing protective equipment, to avoid spreading the virus to other vulnerable patients.

“We know that people can get Covid again and again and even if it does not make them critically ill, there is still the risk of developing further complications or passing it on to a friend of loved one at higher risk from the virus.

“If you haven’t come forward for your jabs yet, it’s OK to change your mind and get protected.”

A North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson, who said there were 75 current Covid in-patients, said: “Our numbers of patients with Covid-19 have been steadily rising, from the being in the low 50s two weeks ago to 75 today.

“We appeal to everyone who is preparing to come into our hospitals, for an appointment or a planned procedure, to take sensible precautions to remain Covid-free to reduce last-minute cancelations and limit the spread of infections.

“We’d also like to remind everyone that masks are still required in all NHS facilities and we ask visitors and patients to follow any additional Covid safety advice while in a hospital or clinical setting.”

 

What are the figures for health care trusts in the region? (Latest data available – April 8)

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust:

Patients admitted last seven days: 145

Patients in hospital: 119

Patients in ventilation beds: 4

 

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust:

Patients admitted last seven days: 95

Patients in hospital: 77

Patients in ventilation beds: 0

 

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Patients admitted last seven days: 147

Patients in hospital: 149

Patients in ventilation beds: 2

 

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (Mental health trust)

Patients admitted last seven days: 23

Patients in hospital: 23

Patients in ventilation beds: 0

 

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Patients admitted last seven days: 67

Patients in hospital: 99

Patients in ventilation beds: 1

 

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust

Patients admitted last seven days: 47

Patients in hospital: 26

Patients in ventilation beds: 1

 

Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Patients admitted last seven days: 97

Patients in hospital: 88

Patients in ventilation beds: 5

 

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Patients admitted last seven days: 183

Patients in hospital: 111

Patients in ventilation beds: 3

 

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Patients admitted last seven days: 135

Patients in hospital: 158

Patients in ventilation beds: 4

 

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (Mental health trust)

Patients admitted last seven days: 2

Patients in hospital: 2

Patients in ventilation beds: 0

 

York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Patients admitted last seven days: 127

Patients in hospital: 247

Patients in ventilation beds: 3

 

North East and Yorkshire

Patients admitted last seven days: 2,407

Patients in hospital: 2,682

Patients in ventilation beds: 41

 

The NHS Confederation, the membership body which represents healthcare organisations, said Government messaging to the public could “mislead the public and discourage them to take steps to reduce transmission, contributing to the very high rates of Covid-19”.

It called for “mitigating actions” to help the NHS which is grappling with 20,000 Covid patients, high rates of staff absences, full hospitals and severe demands on emergency care.

Chief executive Matthew Taylor said: “The brutal reality for staff and patients is that this Easter in the NHS is as bad as any winter.

“But instead of the understanding and support NHS staff received during 2020 and 2021, we have a Government that seems to want to wash its hands of responsibility for what is occurring in plain sight in local services up and down the country.

“No 10 has seemingly abandoned any interest in Covid whatsoever.

“NHS leaders and their teams feel abandoned by the Government and they deserve better.”

As well as dealing with large volumes of Covid-19 patients, there are high rates of staff absences due to the virus, full hospitals and severe demands on emergency care, which are all putting pressures on services.

Data published on April 7 showed staff absences at NHS hospitals in England due to Covid-19 are at their highest level since late January, with numbers continuing to climb in most regions.

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A spokesperson for Department of Health and Social Care said: “The success of our vaccination and antivirals programmes alongside increased public understanding on managing risk means we can start living with Covid – with public health guidance and free testing focused on groups who are most at risk from the virus.

“We are incredibly grateful to NHS staff and we have set out our plan to tackle the Covid backlog and deliver long term recovery and reform, backed by our record multibillion-pound investment over the next three years.

“We are on track to deliver 50,000 more nurses by 2024, there are over 4,300 more doctors compared to last year, and we are investing hundreds of millions in growing the workforce.”

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