Beating the ambulance queue

Since Christmas, I have been keeping my head down and working behind-the-scenes to ensure the situation at Southend Hospital improves.

Although I fully appreciate that our amazing doctors, nurses and paramedics are working extremely hard to reduce delays, the long queues of ambulances

I witnessed over the festive period were completely unacceptable

I have been in regular contact with the Chief Operating Officer of Southend Hospital, as well as the Chief Executives of the East of England Ambulance Service and Integrated Care Board, to raise my deep concerns over the ongoing situation and reinforce my commitment to working with the NHS to find a solution.

Expand bed availability

As such, I called for an urgent meeting with senior officials on the 5th of January to discuss the ongoing ambulance pressures outside Southend Hospital and the long-term challenges facing the service.

I expressed my deep concerns over the number and slow discharge of some medically stable patients who are left occupying beds in need. The discussions were extremely productive and highlighted some possible improvements to streamline patient flow and avoid blocking beds, including what more could be done to capitalize on care home spaces in Southend that are available to accept patients ready for discharge.

I also heard proposals to improve the use of space onsite to expand bed availability and the flow of patients through the hospital.

I am delighted to tell you that this is now in place and reducing ambulance handover delays, with the hospital now providing seven extra major treatment spaces, including an improved waiting area, and a new location for the Urgent Treatment Centre.

by Anna Firth MP Conservative MP for Southend West anna.firth.mp @parliament.uk

See Anna Firth MP press release on the news page on Oracle's website

Two brand new breast cancer screening

Additionally, I am pleased to announce that Southend Hospital will be receiving two brand new breast cancer screening units to boost capacity at the hospital and tackle the appointment backlog. We do have a plan and I am confident that if everyone pulls together, including the hospital, ambulances, council, GP’s, and care homes, then things will start to get better by the end of the month. I will provide further updates as soon as possible.

As ever, if you have any issues I can help with, please contact me on anna.firth.mp@parliament.uk.