Email to Councillors in 3 boroughs on 40 bed shortfall scandal & plugging new wing meeting on 9th April

Dear Barking & Dagenham, Havering & Redbridge Councillors

This is a letter sent to all Councillors in Barking & Dagenham, Havering & Redbridge.

Dear Barking & Dagenham, Havering & Redbridge Councillors

Our last campaign event outside King George Hospital called for a new wing at King George relying on the BHRUT AGM board papers stating there is a 100 bed shortfall at King George & Queens hospitals.

Since then the situation has got worse: the type 1 A&E performance is often the worst in England. In the video clip at Mr Trainer on bed shortfall from the March 2022 board meeting, Matthew Trainer, the BHRUT CE says the key hour A&E type 1 benchmark is sometimes as 20%, way below the safety benchmark of 95%

Mr Trainer says there are bed shortfalls in acute assessment and community stroke totalling around 40 beds. BHRUT has the funding to open these beds, but cannot find the staff. Mr Trainer also says that care would be “significantly different” if all the beds were staffed. Mr Trainer defines what he means by significantly different in the video clip. However, the A&E wait time would only improve marginally. It is a scandal that the NHS is not offering enough wages to attract staff.

Mr Trainer does not say this, but perhaps you will agree with me that the bed and staffing shortfall will increases the risk of poor care.

We have a public meeting calling for a new wing for King George hospital for Saturday 9^th April at 3pm. Speakers include Bob Archer, (Redbridge Trades Council), Ashburn Holder, (Liberal Democrats) and RoseMary Warrington (Greens). It would be great to have some elected representatives with us too. The meeting is also on Zoom at meeting id 892 5049 4827passcode 832165

I am writing to my elected representatives requesting one of them write to Mr Trainer to enquire if the situation has improved. Once the current situation is known I expect a letter will be agreed for local newspapers and the Secretary of State along with photos of our banner calling for a new wing for King George.

The above are my own views and not of any of the speakers.

Regards

 

Andy Walker