'Sharp increase' in Covid patients at Chesterfield hospice prompts opening of new wing

Bosses say over the past week they have doubled the capacity of Covid patients, with one-in-three beds now being used by Covid-positive patients.

It comes after Chesterfield Royal Hospital reported the number of Covid-positive patients being admitted has risen from the previous week with all 16 of its ICU beds full.

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Barbara-Anne Walker, chief executive at Ashgate Hospicecare, said the increase highlighted the crucial role Ashgate was playing in the Covid-19 response in north Derbyshire.

She said: “We are proud to be able to support our NHS colleagues in the COVID-19 response and are doing all we can to ease the pressure on the healthcare system.

"We have been caring for COVID positive patients since last April, but not to the same scale we are operating now.

“There are few hospices in the UK who have supported as many end-of-life COVID patients as we have been able to do, and I am very proud of the quality of the care they are receiving.

“In many cases we have been able to discharge patients back to their homes after they have recovered from the virus, which is testament to our care.”

The hospice reported last month that it was facing unprecedented demand for its services, with all available staff deployed to its 21-bed inpatient unit.

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The move was part of a system-wide response to support the NHS, increase admissions from Chesterfield Royal Hospital and free up hospital beds.

Despite caring for an increasing number of Covid-positive patients, the charity is proud to report that its stringent infection control procedures have avoided any Covid outbreaks, nor has anyone caught the virus whilst staying on the ward or visiting the hospice.

Barbara-Anne added: “Our priority is, and has always been, to keep our patients, their families, our volunteers and staff safe.

"We are looking after some of the most vulnerable people in our community who have been shielding from the virus and we have a duty to keep them safe.”

To support Ashgate Hospicecare in its COVID-19 response and to donate, visit www.ashgatehospicecare.org.uk/winter-crisis-appeal

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