Posted on 12/17/2012 3:59:49 PM PST by mdittmar
The NHS is facing a shortage of beds to treat critically-ill children,doctors warn.
The Paediatric Intensive Care Society and three other medical organisations say all 29 units in the UK are running close to capacity due to a surge in seasonal respiratory illness.
The Department of Health is expected to release additional money to help hospitals with winter pressures.
On Monday there were 10-20 unoccupied beds available.
During the previous week, there were days when virtually all of the beds were full - although doctors stress no child came to any harm as a result.Services stretched
Medics say paediatric services are working hard to keep up with demand and are under "severe pressure".
Honorary secretary of the Paediatric Intensive Care Society (PICS) Peter Wilson said: "Although all trusts are really stretched we have had zero adverse outcomes, which is good news.
"We understand waiting is frustrating for parents."
He said it was not unusual to see peaks in admissions over winter, but that so far this year there had been relatively more respiratory infections circulating among children than in recent years.
"This year the number of beds has been tight because there's been a steady increase in admissions without an increase in bed numbers.
"In certain areas of the UK there may be a need for more beds but opening stacks more is not the answer. During the summer these would sit empty, wasting money."
He said each bed costs the NHS about £2,000 per day - most of this is for the necessary staffing.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Because, after all, a dead patient is a cheap patient.
Because, after all, a dead patient is a cheap patient.
Shortages? In Utopia???? Nooooooooo! Everyone is supposed to get free health! The government loves people, especially other people’s childruuuun. (They are crazy about those old people, too.) How could this happen? /s/
in all of Ungland, i'd say God help them except they kicked him out years ago...
What??? Didn’t the Olympics give them back after the show?
Well, obviously parents need to better schedule down time for their children. I'd suggest that parents with last names beginning with the letters A thru M schedule sick time for their kids in Summer. Parents with last names beginning with the letters N thru Z can schedule sick time in Winter. See how easy a mandate can fix a problem? It's all just a matter of a few more laws.
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