Whiston Hospital's Strategy for A&E Congestion

Whiston Hospital in Knowsley, Merseyside, is implementing a robust patient flow management system to cope with increasing hospital admissions. Staff convene four times daily in a dedicated control room to align available beds with patient arrivals, ensuring adequate staffing levels. This proactive approach aims to prevent afternoon bottlenecks and decongest the A&E department.

Currently, the hospital faces challenges, including two wards closed due to norovirus outbreaks, which are sporadic and require flexible ward management. This surge in respiratory issues and infections is particularly pronounced. January is consistently identified as a peak period for admissions, often linked to increased social mixing and subsequent infection spread during the Christmas season.

Patients visiting the hospital report positive experiences, noting the caring and helpful nature of the staff. The hospital's operational strategy is designed to ensure that only patients requiring acute care occupy beds, thereby optimizing the use of resources and maintaining efficient patient throughput throughout the system.