In article <[log in to unmask]>, Francis Andrews
<[log in to unmask]> writes
>The list seems to have ben silent regarding the publication of the
>latest audit commission report on A&E so here goes.
There's another item which I'm even more surprised hasn't received
comment.
Either I've completely misinterpreted the following, or its been very
well "buried" (to use a Jo Moore-ism)
The latest SitRep interpretation, as clarified by our RHA, has far-
reaching implications....
I, as A&E clinician, am being asked to agree which areas in A&E are
"appropriate" for patients to be managed on beds. According to the
"equivalent to a ward environment" interpretation we have had from
Region, this includes most of the Department.
Any patient put on a bed in one of the areas that I have been implicated
in identifying as "appropriate", will NOT count as "waiting for a bed".
Such a patient will effectively be deemed to have been admitted to an
appropriate area.
If I have misinterpreted this, then please let me know a.s.a.p because I
feel inclined to draft a letter expressing my concerns to management.
In the state of permanent crisis we are in with beds, I can accept the
need to identify such overflow space as a temporary emergency expedient.
However, I feel I am being asked to collude with what appears to be a
cynical attempt to re-define a bed wait. If this re-definition is made
to stick, my Trusts next SitRep data will report 100% compliance with
trolley waits < 4 hours, as opposed to the current figure (79%, gloat,
gloat)
Another perceived risk is that I would be "rubber stamping" the de facto
conversion of much of the Department into an in-patient ward. Now we all
know this happens routinely in our neck of the woods. But that doesn't
make it acceptable and I'd rather not be complicit in legitimizing it.
Am I being paranoid? Luddite? Cynical?
I would value your collective opinions, and urgently.
Danny once warned me there are politicians and journalists lurking on
this group - good. I'd like to hear their views too!
Gautam Ray
Dr G Ray
A&E
Sussex
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