Agenda item

The Board received updates on the vaccination statistics for the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic in the borough, as well as the winter planning position for Covid-19 care at London North West Hospitals.

As at 16 November 2021, 3,438,438 Covid-19 vaccinations had been administered, in the following categories: 1,656,419 (first dose); 1,443,272 (second dose); and 346,310 (booster dose).

An extension of the booster campaign to 40-49-year olds had begun with bookings being taken from Monday 22 November 2021.  A nationwide initiative was being promoted on the last weekend of November 2021 across all cohorts, from 12 years of age upwards, that prompted people to get vaccinated (1st, 2nd and booster doses) before Christmas Day.

Approximately 10%-15% of the London North West Hospital Trusts had beds occupied with patients receiving care related to Covid-19 (around 80-100 patients).  The majority of these patients were un-vaccinated.

Along with the heightened risk of infection, having this many beds devoted to care related to Covid-19 (going into the winter period) would be challenging.  The critical care beds were expanded from 22 to 36 and were around 25% occupied by care related to Covid-19.  The Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments, like other areas of the hospital had dedicated “red zones” to provide care for patients with Covid-19.  Like many areas of the community, workforce pressures from Covid-19 and other seasonal illnesses were higher than usual for this time of year.

On a high demand day there were up to 1,100 urgent and A&E patients from Harrow, Ealing and Brent. Beds were currently occupied up to 96%, with the higher occupancy levels at Northwick Park Hospital, which was usually the highest in London.

The following steps were being undertaken to prepare for winter:

1)              increasing the bed base to allow surgical work to continue where possible;

2)              extending the opening hours of Same Day Emergency Care Unit to see more patients;

3)              vaccinating staff for winter and providing flu vaccines;

4)              maintaining strict Infection Prevention and Control procedures (Central Middlesex Hospital would continue to be set up as a “green” Covid-19 protected site for elective care, supported by green pathways at Northwick Park and Ealing Hospitals;

5)              recruiting a range of NHS staff, to improve patient flow.  This also helped to spread the load across a number of professional workforce groups, rather than just doctors, nurses and beds;

6)              working with partners in the Integrated Care System and Community Services to maintain the discharge hub and get patients home as safely and efficiently as possible;

7)              working with London Ambulance Service to reduce ambulance pressures on our Northwick Park Hospital site; and

8)              working as an Integrated Care Partnership would support elective and non-elective care pressures in winter.  For example, recruiting additional staff and volunteers to work with mental health patients in A&E and working collaboratively with the Urgent Care Provider to help maintain safety when they are at their busiest (this included re-direction to extended hours GP’s).

The Board inquired if young children (12-15-year olds) had been admitted to hospital for Covid-19 treatment, and of those, how many had been vaccinated.  Did some have underlying conditions which caused them to end up in hospital despite being vaccinated?

It was advised that the number of 12-15-year olds admitted to hospital for Covid-19 was relatively small.  Furthermore, data was currently not available on how many admitted children had been vaccinated, and if they had underlying conditions that contributed to them being hospitalised with Covid-19.

RESOLVED:  That the updates be noted.