HSJ has reported the full picture of hospital capacity in hotspot areas in the North West is revealed for the first time. The latest data confirms that parts of this region now have more coronavirus patients in hospital beds than they did in the spring.
Very little of the surge capacity is being opened, according to HSJ’s sources, instead the areas are cancelling or moving electives. Patients are being displaced from critical care. A doctor in the Great Manchester area told HSJ: “It’s starting to look a mess. It’s not like last time because we had emptied out ready for the first wave (in April). The feel is different this time, like we’re furiously bailing the water out of a sinking ship waiting for disaster, whereas for the first wave it was all calm and prepared.”
Full story in the HSJ, 23 October 2020