Operation reduction frees up beds

The hospital says urgent cases will still go ahead when necessary

Pressure on staff at a Cornwall hospital will be eased over Christmas because of a recent reduction in the number of operations.

The number of routine operations at the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske in the past few weeks was cut to enable up to 100 beds to be cleared over the festive season.

Planning for freeing up the beds out of the hospital's total of about 900 started in the summer.

But the hospital said urgent cases will still go ahead when necessary.

It can be a very hard time for patients Reverend Martyn Trembath

Staff at the hospital's Accident and Emergency unit say they are ready for Christmas revellers keeping them busy.

Consultant Jonathan Wyatt said he and his colleagues were very aware of what causes them the most work

He said: "Alcohol comes top of the list. Most A and E staff will support the police and councils in trying to get people taking taxis instead of drink-driving.

"We see that from a sharp perspective."

Hospital Director of Delivery and Modernisation Paula Friend said of the planning to free up the beds: "We reduce the number of patients that we're planning to bring in for elective operations, which will reduce the number of people in over the Christmas period.

"That means we have to see which lists we're going to keep up and what cases are complex, as some still cannot be delayed."

Staff and patients will also try and join together for the traditional services in the chapel.

Senior chaplain the Reverend Martyn Trembath says everyone knows Christmas in hospital can be stressful and that everyone will do their best to make it as comfortable as possible.

He said: "It can be a very hard time for patients. If they have had a bereavement, it can hit hard.

"Likewise, it can hard for people who are away at home.

"With the staff, we try and give them as much support as we can during this time."