Worthing and Southlands Hospital numbers escalate

Figures for October to January also show that the number of patients being admitted to hospital from A and E is five per cent higher than 12 months before.

Hospital staff at Worthing '“ and Southlands at Shoreham '“ are looking at ways to make better use of beds to ease the pressure.

A "prediction" tool to ena-ble staff to cope with their busiest times has been set up.

The tool was produced after analysing three years of patient activity and comparing data on a week-by-week basis.

Newly appointed operational manager for the trust, Sue Tharby, said: "During the winter months, especially, we know we will be exceptionally busy, but this tool is identifying busy periods on a day-to-day basis, so helping us to plan for an increase in the number of patients coming in."

A range of indicators is used to determine the risk of bed shortages, including the number of beds in use, risk of staff/patient sickness, weather and emergency activity at the hospital in the previous week or so.

Sue's tasks include liaising directly with staff on the ward, identifying admission and discharge problems, and working closely with the primary care trust and community staff to resolve difficulties quickly.