Calls Urge Reopening of Kent A&E Amid Record Corridor Waits

Calls for the reopening of the A&E department at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital are intensifying. This follows a significant rise in corridor waits at local hospitals, which have reached alarming levels.

Escalating Corridor Waits in Kent’s Hospitals

The Kent and Canterbury Hospital’s A&E was downgraded to an urgent care center in 2005. Since then, the region has seen an increase in patient numbers, leading to extended delays for emergency care. Currently, patients are enduring waits of 12 hours or more for hospital beds.

Growing Community Support

Ken Rogers, chair of Concern for Health in East Kent (Chek), has spearheaded efforts to reinstate the A&E. A petition advocating for its reopening has gained over 7,000 signatures. Rogers emphasizes that the situation is now more critical than ever.

Impact of Population Surge

• Projected addition of 167,000 residents across east Kent’s areas, including Canterbury, Dover, and Thanet.
• Upcoming local developments could exacerbate the strain on existing healthcare services.

Rogers has alerted political leaders, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, to the necessity of reviving the A&E. “East Kent is on the brink of a population surge that requires immediate action,” he stated.

National Trend of Lengthy A&E Waits

Although long waiting times are a nationwide issue, East Kent’s emergency departments exhibit some of the highest rates of 12-hour waits. Dr. Ian Higginson, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, has voiced concern about the normalization of corridor care.

Disturbing Statistics

Recent figures suggest that over 16,600 patients have died after experiencing lengthy waits for a hospital bed in England. This equates to approximately 320 deaths weekly, which would spur significant public outcry if occurring in any other context.

Kent Hospitals Under Pressure

The William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and QEQM in Margate are under immense strain. They have been forced to adapt non-traditional areas for treatment due to space constraints. An investigation revealed that patients were cared for in the hospital’s coffee shop back in September.

Bed Blocking Issues

• Many delays are linked to the requirement of long-term care packages before patient discharge.
• Some patients cannot leave until suitable care homes are found.

As a result, essential beds remain occupied, causing further disruptions in emergency treatment capabilities. The total number of patients experiencing waits of 12 hours or more is expected to surpass 13,986 by the end of 2025.

Challenges of Reopening A&E

Restoring A&E services at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital presents significant obstacles. Reopening would necessitate a major investment in staff and resources, which are currently in short supply within the NHS.

Recent Developments and Future Plans

In December, the East Kent Hospitals Trust received £29 million from the NHS to improve A&E facilities. They aim to enhance same-day emergency care departments in Ashford and Margate, reducing the need for hospital admissions.

However, advocates like Rogers argue that these measures are merely temporary solutions. He insists that reopening the A&E is crucial for delivering safe, dignified healthcare to East Kent residents.

Leadership and Future Perspectives

Tracey Fletcher, CEO of East Kent Hospitals, is currently on unplanned leave. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Des Holden has stepped in to oversee operations amidst ongoing calls for substantial changes.

The Trust has reiterated its commitment to tackling long waits and overcrowding in emergency units. Future collaboration with local organizations is anticipated to align with NHS goals.