A major NHS hospital has been so overwhelmed that it told senior doctors to make “the least unsafe decision” when treating patients. At the time the hospital had no spare beds, a full accident and emergency department, 35 patients waiting on trolleys to be admitted, and had declared a major internal incident. Dr Julia Patterson, a spokeswoman for EveryDoctor, which campaigns to improve doctors’ working conditions, said the trust’s message meant “optimal care is unavailable now for some NHS patients [because] ‘the least unsafe option’ is the best we can offer”. Hospitals were 95% full last week, 10% higher than the 85% occupancy which doctors say is the safe level. Cuts mean the NHS is entering winter with the fewest hospital beds available ever.

Source: The Guardian December 20, 2019 14:00 UTC