Blackpool Victoria Hospital apologises for longest 12-hour waits in the country
High demand and staffing gaps put Trust under severe pressure
Blackpool Victoria Hospital has issued an apology to patients after acknowledging it has the longest 12-hour waiting times nationally for getting a hospital ward bed.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals Trust has faced immense pressure due to soaring demand and staffing challenges similar to those experienced across the NHS during winter months.
The waiting time metric reports the duration newly arrived patients spend waiting for a ward bed in the hospital—an issue reported to be the worst in Blackpool nationally.
Measures to address increased demands
Faced with insufficient bed availability, the Trust made a public plea last month encouraging residents to avoid visiting A&E for minor ailments such as sore throats and sinusitis. Following this, a critical incident was declared at the hospital due to "very high demand for services" and "sustained pressure," specifically in the Emergency Department.
Such incidents arise when hospital resources are overwhelmed, posing risks to patient care due to flu surges, winter pressures, or significant disruptions. Hospitals may respond by postponing non-urgent care, seeking external assistance, or implementing alternative measures to ensure patient safety.
Plans for improvement
In a recent Blackpool Council report presented to the Adult Social Care and Scrutiny Committee, efforts made by the Trust were outlined. These include expanding the capacity of its discharge lounge, allowing patients to wait comfortably before going home without occupying a hospital bed, thereby reducing bed shortages.
Maggie Oldham, Chief Executive of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, expressed regret over patient wait times and assured that proactive measures are being taken.
“High demand has been seen across all NHS services in recent years and Blackpool is no exception,” Oldham said.
“We know this can impact on the experience of patients and we are working hard to make improvements to reduce waiting times.”
She added: “This report highlights a number of areas where important work is taking place and progress is being made, from recently increasing the capacity of our Discharge Lounge...to strengthening our workforce where we have gaps in key areas”.
Oldham offered reassurances that while patients wait for bed availability, they continue to be reviewed, assessed, and supported by hospital staff.