ISLANDERS are being told not to visit the Emergency Department unless they are ‘experiencing a genuine medical emergency’, following a resurgence in bed-blocking.
As many as 44 patients are remaining on wards even though they are medically fit for discharge, according to recent statistics.
This week, the government reminded Islanders that ‘care, support or advice’ can also be provided by a pharmacy, GP surgery or the out-of-hours GP service.
It has now said that at the time of its tweet, the Hospital was busy with higher than predicted emergency admissions and 44 patients who were ‘delayed discharge’, due to lack of capacity in the community.
Statistics from the end of last month showed 28 people in the Hospital were identified as ‘Delayed Transfers of Care’.
Generally, this will be because they are awaiting a placement (such as nursing or residential homes), or no onward placement has yet been identified in the community.
Bed-blocking is an ongoing issue in Jersey, with the number of delayed transfers fluctuating from 36 to 46 between January and May.
The Health Department’s interim chief officer, Chris Bown, has said the situation is not unique to Jersey but also ‘not good care’ and that a solution was needed.
‘Important debates’ also needed to continue regarding third sector providers, such as care homes and home care agencies, which would usually assume responsibility for patients’ careafter leaving hospital, Mr Bown added.
