Published on the 7th January 2021
I spoke with the Chief Executive of King's College NHS Trust this morning, and I wanted to update you on how Orpington’s local hospitals are coping.
The Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) is now under intense pressure. The new coronavirus variant, which is easier to catch and pass on, has resulted in a rapid spread of the virus and now many more people require hospital care. This is not because the variant is more severe, but because it is spreading faster and as many more people catch the virus, more will need hospital care.
On the 21st December, there were around 130 coronavirus patients across the NHS Trust. There are now more than 700 patients in hospital with the virus. In the PRUH, there are sadly 16 people with coronavirus receiving Intensive Care and 257 people receiving hospital care. Orpington Hospital is now caring for some coronavirus patients to help the PRUH cope.
The intense pressure PRUH is experiencing underlines the importance of staying at home to save lives. The NHS is there to protect us. But unless we help to slow the spread of the virus, the NHS risks being overwhelmed. If this nightmare scenario happens, the NHS won't be able to care for everyone who needs it, and many more people could lose their lives from coronavirus and other illnesses. So please, follow the lockdown restrictions to save lives.
In good news, the PRUH has delivered nearly 4,600 vaccinations so far. I am pleased to report that 2,200 people over 80s-year-old have received their first dose at the PRUH.
The NHS is working tirelessly to accelerate its vaccination programme and increase the number of places providing vaccines. I will update you when I receive more information on this.
We are making progress, but there is a long way to go and will likely be bumps along the way. But we will get it done.
Finally, I would like to thank NHS, health and social care workers at the PRUH, Orpington Hospital and across the constituency who are helping save lives under intense pressure. Let’s all do our bit and follow the rules and help them to protect us.