'Don't split us up yet', says Royal Preston worker whose ward treated Covid patients at pandemic peak

A worker on Bleasdale ward - who did not want to be named - contacted the Local Democracy Reporting Service to condemn the “terrible timing” of the proposed changes, which would see the facility’s main function changed and some staff sent to work in other areas of the hospital.

The 22-bed ward currently operates as a neuro-rehabilitation unit, but much of that work will now move into the community - with the newly-released space set to receive patients from Ward 17, which specialises in acute neurological treatment. Staff from that facility would transfer to Bleasdale under the plans.

Bosses at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals (LTH) say the new set-up is in the best interests of patients - but one Bleasdale staff member says they and their colleagues feel that the speed of the shift is “a slap in the face” after they provided vital Covid care when the number of patients suffering from the virus increased in the spring.

They also say that now is the wrong moment to split up staff who have formed a strong bond during the crisis.

“The stress level has been phenomenal and it’s really taken its toll - some staff have even lost loved ones to Covid-19.

“We have been each other's rocks through all this and have been like a family, offering each other support when lockdown meant our own families and friends often couldn’t be with us.

“The trust are praising all of their staff and saying what a great job we’ve done, but I don’t think they realise how mentally scarring it’s been. We have supported them and now we want some support in return.

“Change is inevitable, but why now? Let things settle down for a few months before making changes like this, especially when we might not all be moved to the same place,” the staff member appealed.

The individual added that the overhaul was doubly premature given that a second spike in Covid hospitalisations cannot be ruled out.

Neither Bleasdale nor Ward 17 were formally designated as coronavirus wards, but both did treat Covid-positive patients when numbers were at their highest. The LDRS understands that the trust’s plans for any increase in such cases would not require the forthcoming changes to the two wards to be reversed.

It is also understood that senior clinicians have backed the reconfiguration, which they believe will result in neuro patients in need of rehabilitation and those requiring acute care both being treated in environments better suited to their needs.

LTH chief operating officer Faith Button said: “It is great news that many of our less poorly neurology patients will now be able to receive high quality rehabilitation in a community setting.

“This has now freed up capacity for other neurological patients to be cared for on Bleasdale and, if required, they will have the opportunity to begin their rehabilitation journey sooner than was previously the case – timely access to therapists and rehabilitation equipment and facilities will lead to improved outcomes as well as a better patient experience..

“We have an overall shortage of medical beds for acutely ill patients, so Ward 17 will be an important part of our plans to manage the expected increase in demand during the winter period.

“Our staff have and will continue to be kept in the loop and there will be a formal consultation as is always the case in these circumstances. However, our clinical leadership teams agree that these changes are in the very best interests of our patients and we believe that the majority of staff will therefore be supportive,” Ms. Button added.

Under the plans, it is expected that a small number of inpatient rehab beds will remain in Bleasdale ward.

It is understood that a meeting with affected staff is due to take place later this week and all workers at the trust are being offered psychological support to help them deal with the stress of working in a hospital environment during the pandemic.