Record numbers at hospital’s A&E

ROTHERHAM’S A&E department saw record numbers of patients in a single day last month — twice.

A total of 360 people attended Rotherham Hospital’s Urgent and Emergency Care Centre on both June 7 and 14.

Hospital chief executive Dr Richard Jenkins said in a report to the board of directors that A&E departments in neighbouring areas were also seeing rising numbers.

A hospital spokesperson said: “Both of the highest attendance days happened on Mondays, a day which is typically the busiest of the week in the department.

 “We are seeing an increase in all types of attendances, including mental health and paediatrics. 

“As the weather has improved and things have opened up, we’ve also seen an increase in minor injuries.”

Deputy chief executive Michael Wright said attendances in May were up 43 per cent on last May’s figure and 20 per cent above May 2019.

Admissions were down ten per cent on the 2020 figure but up 16 per cent on the 2019 level, he said.

Mr Wright’s report said: “Site pressures remained high, despite the reduction in Covid-19 positive patients, given the ongoing challenges around ward capacity.

“Ambulance handover delays over 60 minutes increased slightly to 60 in May.”

He noted this represented an increase on May last year, when ambulance callouts were reduced and there was significant bed capacity across the hospital.

The spokesperson said the trust did not want to discourage those in need from going to the UECC but urged everyone to think about the best option for their needs, including a pharmacist or NHS 111, who can also provide advice.