A critical incident has been announced at an NHS hospital due to an ongoing issue. Arrowe Park Hospital, a part of Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, halted elective procedures last week to address the problem. The trust has taken steps to rectify the situation, such as purchasing new instruments and borrowing equipment from neighboring NHS facilities.
According to an internal email obtained by the Liverpool Echo, the trust is seeking assistance from other NHS trusts in the region to help mitigate the disruption. Patients were redirected to Aintree Hospital and the Countess of Chester Hospital during this period.
A notification sent to staff at Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust highlighted an ongoing problem in the Sterile Service Department affecting surgical instruments. Patient safety remains a top priority, leading to the temporary suspension of elective activities while investigations were conducted. Subsequently, a critical incident was declared at the trust, with command and control structures activated to manage the situation.
To minimize inconvenience to patients, the hospital has acquired additional surgical instruments and is collaborating with regional partners to secure more supplies. Concerns have been raised among patients and their families, with one individual expressing worry about delays in surgeries due to the unavailability of safe, sterile equipment at the hospital.
A spokesperson from Wirral University Teaching Hospital stated that the declaration of a Critical Incident was necessary due to unresolved issues in the Sterile Services Department affecting surgical instruments. Patient safety remains paramount, leading to the temporary pause in elective activities. The trust has robust plans in place to handle the incident and is seeking support from other trusts to lessen the impact on patients.
The incident has prompted discussions about patient safety and the importance of ensuring adequate and sterile medical equipment for all procedures.