A union responsible for representing nurses has described the situation as “very serious” at north and west Cumbria’s NHS trust as staff deal with “unprecedented demand” due to coronavirus. The Royal College of Nursing has spoken with nurses serving on the frontline across the North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust. The NHS definition of the conditions triggering an Opel 4 Alert state: “Pressure in the local health and social care system continues to escalate leaving organisations unable to deliver comprehensive care. There is increased potential for patient care and safety to be compromised.” Speaking after a surge of Covid-19 admissions at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven and Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary, Glenn Turp, regional director for the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said: “The situation is very serious. NHS Trusts and health and social care providers across Cumbria are trying their best to cope with unprecedented demand.
STAFF on Ward 4 at West Cumberland Hospital say they are grateful to people for donations for the ward and for gifts given for patients over Christmas. Lesley Thompson, who works on ward 4 at the West Cumberland, said: “All the staff on Ward 4 would like to say a huge heartfelt thank you. “The smiles on our patients’ faces on Christmas morning opening the gifts were delightful to watch.” Thanks are sent to everyone that gave gifts, including Jessie McCarron, who is a domestic assistant at the hospital; Amy and Ellie from Bigrigg (Lesley said the staff enjoyed the biscuits they donated); and Ian, Aimee, Amelia and Alfie from McDonald painting and decorating services.
Danger: Coronavirus is claiming more lives - despite the efforts of our brave NHS staff across Cumbria. CUMBRIA has seen a surge in Covid-19 hospital deaths, with a further four fatalities added to the toll in north Cumbria over the last 24 hours. The NHS trust that runs The Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven - North Cumbria Integrated Care Foundation Trust - has now reported a total of 273 hospital covid deaths. The virus has claimed 19 lives at the trust in the last 14 days. The death toll also grew significantly overnight at the NHS trust which manages Furness General Hospital.