Bid to tackle A&E overcrowding

NEW POLICIES BROUGHT IN AFTER HOSPITAL FACED ‘SEVERE’ ISSUES AT EASTER

- By JOSEPH CONNOLLY

THE boss of Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust says the group has “much work to do” to reduce overcrowding problems that have troubled one of its emergency departments in the past 12 months.

The emergency department at King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton-in-Ashfield, faced “severe” issues at Easter, which saw more than double the number of patients it was designed for waiting for treatment.

In response, the trust introduced a “fit to sit” policy in June, where patients who were well enough would be moved from trolleys to chairs in a 19-seater room.

But chief operating officer Simon Illingworth said he “totally recognises” the ongoing issue when questioned by a member of the public at the Trust's AGM last week.