ACCIDENTS and emergency departments in Worcester and Redditch saw and treated 3,188 patients during Christmas week, from December 24 to 30.
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (WAHT) said the Christmas and New Year period continued to be challenging with staff at the trust and in partner organisations working hard to discharge patients appropriately in order to make way for new admissions.
Across the county A&E departments at Worcestershire Royal and the Alexandra Hospital found themselves under intense pressure treating 311 patients alone on Christmas Day.
However the week saw many staff volunteering to stay on after their shift had finished to help ensure patients received the best possible care.
Thursday, December 27 was the Trust’s busiest day for emergency attendances with a total of 536 patients seen across the county.
Marc Tarrant, matron for the Alexandra Hospital A&E Department said: “The Christmas period was a challenging week for our emergency departments, with extra staff brought in to assist where possible.
“Thank you to the many Emergency Department staff who stayed after their shifts had finished to help keep morale up and continue to provide excellent patient care.”
The Trust had been busy preparing for the onslaught of ‘winter pressures’ as it dealt with a wide range of casualties from poorly senior citizens to accidents and injuries.
Health chiefs are also keen to remind residents that for ailments like cuts, grazes, sprains and burns they can receive expert and fast treatment at the county’s five minor injuries units.
These are at:
Bromsgrove – Princess of Wales Community Hospital, Stourbridge Road, Bromsgrove, B61 0BB
Evesham – Evesham Community Hospital, Waterside, Evesham, WR11 1JT
Kidderminster – Kidderminster Hospital, Bewdley Road, Kidderminster, DY11 6RJ
Malvern – Malvern Community Hospital, 185 Worcester Road, WR14 1EX
Tenbury – Tenbury Community Hospital, Worcester Road, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8AP
