Patients NHS Hospitals In Devon Implement ‘Highest Level Of Escalation’ As Pressures Mount Amid Junior Doctors’ Strike

THE current strike action by junior doctors in Devon has forced NHS bosses to place hospitals on the ‘highest level of escalation’.

All partners across the county’s health and care system have been working hard to take action to mitigate the disruption caused by the strikes but are now preparing to deploy further measures if they are needed in coming days. For more information visit: https://t.co/hSa519IoSA pic.twitter.com/XqriCoBSgb

— NHS Devon (@NHSDevon) September 21, 2023

NHS officials in South-West England blamed the extra pressures brought about as the result of five days of industrial action by members of the British Medical Association (BMA) and insisted the measures were ultimately designed to protect the well-being of patients.

In light of these continued pressures, NHS facilities in the county have entered what is known as OPEL 4, which is the highest possible escalation level. Specifically, it means that organisations are currently unable to deliver comprehensive health care.

With this situation in force, it is possible that patients in need of hospital treatment could find ambulances in Devon, and also parts of Cornwall, having to transport them to alternative emergency departments away from their areas.

Patients could be assessed when arriving at A&E

Patients attending A&E departments, who are not critically ill, could find clinicians assessing all those arriving and, where a patient’s needs can be safely met by a different service or at a different time, they will be redirected to that service.

‘A walk-out by junior doctors from 7 am on Wednesday, September 20, until 7 am on Saturday, September 23 has left many hospitals facing difficulties in filling rotas, especially over the next two evenings (Thursday and Friday)’, said a statement from NHS Devon.

It continued: ‘Although consultants ended their separate 48-hour strike on Thursday morning, there remain far fewer clinical staff in hospital emergency departments than usual and the NHS in Devon has now entered OPEL 4 – the highest level of escalation – in light of the continued pressures’.

The measures are designed to keep patients safe

Speaking with the BBC, Nigel Acheson, Devon’s chief medical officer explained: ‘We have been doing everything we can to keep patients and colleagues safe through this period of extreme pressure due to the industrial action’.