COLCHESTER Hospital’s performance has ‘deteriorated’ this year because of a rise in emergency department admissions, official documents show.

Papers published from the most recent meeting of board the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) board show the challenges facing the hospitals in Ipswich and Colchester.

According to a 60-page performance report, staff saw 600 more patients in Colchester Hospital’s emergency department in May compared to the same point last year, placing additional strain on staff and resulting in longer waits for patients.

Pressure – there are 96 patients who are medically fit for discharge but can't leave hospital because of pressures on the care systemPressure – there are 96 patients who are medically fit for discharge but can't leave hospital because of pressures on the care system (Image: Steve Brading)

Across the trust, there was a 39.4 per cent increase in emergency admissions in May compared to April, placing further strain on bed capacity.

A section of the report read: "Performance deteriorated at the Colchester site in May.

"Further collaboration is required with North East Essex Community Services to ascertain what can be done pre-hospital to support care being provided in the community, rather than in the hospital."

After four consecutive months without a ‘never event’ – which is defined as a preventable serious incident – there were two across the trust in April, although an ESNEFT spokesman said they are still being investigated and information has yet to be published.

One ‘never event’ in May involved a piece of gauze being left inside a patient following a procedure at Ipswich Hospital.

Papers also showed there were nearly 100 patients at Colchester Hospital who were medically fit to be discharged but could not leave the hospital because of pressures on the care system.

Major – there were three 'never events' recorded in April and May across the trustMajor – there were three 'never events' recorded in April and May across the trust (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesman for ESNEFT addressed the increase in hospital attendances and number of patients deemed medically fit for discharge.

He said: “We have seen an increase in numbers of people attending our hospitals in recent months and are always working hard to help us understand the reasons why, as well as looking at how we can make sure all our patients are seen as quickly as we can.

“We also work closely with our system partners to help us make sure our patients who are medically fit to leave hospital are able to do so, as soon as they are safely able.”