Winter pressure measures in place at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge after busiest month in A&E on record

Addenbrooke’s has put in place a series of measures in preparation for a busy winter, as the latest figures show a record 13,184 people visited its A&E in October.

That rise was also reflected across the country, but the ambulance handover time at Addenbrooke’s of 25 minutes did beat the national average of 40 minutes.

It missed the target of admitting, transferring or discharging 78 per cent of cases within four hours, however, achieving 66.9 per cent, but this was up from 60.3 per cent last year.

Now Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) has outlined its plans for the expected seasonal rise in demand, with high numbers expected in the emergency department with winter-related respiratory conditions, illnesses and injuries exacerbated by the cold weather.

CUH divisional director Dr Stephen Wallis said: “Our priority this winter is to ensure patients get to the right place at the right time for the care they need – so they can get home as soon as possible.

“All the measures we have put in place will help manage the anticipated high volume of patients through the hospital, freeing capacity in our emergency department and resources for those who need them most.”

It has put in place new same day emergency care (SDEC) treatment options to help ensure many patients can be seen and treated quickly, receiving care on the same day and going home if they are well enough, without needing to be admitted onto a ward.

A new acute frailty unit can take patients from the emergency department to a dedicated quiet area to be treated by a specialist team of geriatricians and nurses, with the aim of safely discharging them on the same day, if possible, to avoid the complications of a hospital admission.

It means these patients are three times more likely to be discharged home on the same day.

There is a focus on discharging patients that are fit and well enough before noon each day, meaning they are back in time for launch, freeing up capacity on the wards earlier in the day.

On Tuesday (3 December), 25 per cent of patients were discharged by midday, with capacity in the discharge lounge, where patients are cared for while they wait to be collected, doubled with new facilities.

CUH also has an award-winning virtual ward, on which capacity has increased to 75 ‘beds’. Here, patients remain at home but receive monitoring, oversight and treatment from specialist clinicians.

It reduces the number of days patients spend in a hospital bed and improves their well-being. Launched two years ago, the virtual ward has treated more than 2,500 patients and achieved a 97 per cent satisfaction rate.

Meanwhile, the Cambridge Movement Surgical Hub, set apart from the hospital, is helping those waiting for routine orthopaedic and spine operations. More than 2,500 operations have been carried out since the hub opened in November last year, including 425 hip replacements and more than 400 knee replacements. It features three operating theatres and allows planned operations to continue even amid increased winter pressure.

CUH chief operating officer Jon Scott said: “The winter months are challenging, but our dedicated staff will be supporting each other to deliver the best possible care for patients.

“The focus on faster treatments, pre-noon discharges and additional virtual ward capacity are already having an impact and feedback from the public has been very encouraging.

He added: “Visitors have an important part to play by utilising handwashing and sanitation facilities at the entrance to wards and clinics, and not coming in if they are feeling unwell.

“Please arrange to pick up your loved one in a timely way when they are discharged, being mindful this will likely be before noon. And finally, please remember our emergency department is there to help those who in need of emergency care.”

For help and advice on flu, Covid and RSV vaccinations, visit the NHS website.