Rise in A&E visits in Bradford and Airedale due to hot weather, say health bosses

Figures from NHS England have shown 18,345 people went to emergency departments in Bradford and Airedale last month, 767 more than in July 2017.

This is a 3.7 per cent increase for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and 5.2 per cent increased for Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.

These figures echo the national figures, with numbers rising all over the country due to the hot weather.

An NHS England spokesperson said: “As temperatures soared, the NHS saw an unprecedented summer surge last month with a record 2.2 million patients attending A&E.

“Thanks to the hard work of staff, 90 per cent of people were seen, treated and admitted or discharged within four hours.”

In Bradford 83.1 per cent of people were dealt with within the four hour target period, whereas in Airedale the figure was 91.6 per cent, both below the national target of 95 per cent.

Nick Scriven, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said the increased admissions during the heatwave had given staff no respite from the pressures and stresses of winter.

He said: “What is of particular concern now, however, is that the summer months are traditionally the time acute hospitals and frontline staff have to recharge the batteries - this year we have had no respite and draining condition.

“Last year NHS leaders admitted it took until October to recover from winter 2017 and we are now only a few months away from the next onslaught.”

Emergency admissions in Bradford and Airedale also increased markedly last month compared to 12 months earlier, with 3,798 people admitted after turning up at Accident and Emergency in Bradford, a 23 per cent increase on 2017.

In Airedale, the figure rose by a third to 1,388 emergency admissions.

Donna Kinnair, director of nursing policy and practice at the Royal College of Nursing, said: “This summer’s heatwave has hit healthcare services hard.

“With rising A&E attendance and admissions, hospitals up and down the country are now seeing winter conditions in summer, putting extra pressure on services that have barely recovered from the cold weather earlier this year.

“Nurses are seeing more cases of heart failure, renal failure and dehydration - all conditions linked to hotter weather.

“Older people are particularly at risk. With 20 per cent more trusts breaching the four hour A&E target in July compared to June, it’s clear our understaffed services are struggling to cope.”

A spokesperson for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “Attendance at Bradford Royal Infirmary’s A&E department increased during July, with more than 400 patients seen on most days.

“This was an increase of between 30 to 50 people per day compared with July last year, particularly older people experiencing flare-ups of chronic conditions made worse by the heat, such as breathing difficulties.

“Our staff have continued to provide the best care possible despite the heat and have followed our Trust’s heatwave policy. This includes clear guidance for monitoring patient safety and being extra vigilant with observations of patients, particularly with elderly patients and babies.”

To keep safe in the sun and hot temperatures, Bradford City, Bradford Districts and Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commission Groups have issued joint advice to the public.

The first reminder is to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially older people, children, and people with long term health issues.

Parents are also being urged to keep their children safe in the sun, by wearing high factor sun cream, clothes and a hat, and being reminded babies under six months should not be left in direct sunlight.

Dr Sara Humphrey said: “Our main advice to everyone is to stay hydrated by drinking at least 1.5 litres a day; and to drink little and often.”

Dr Amy Tatham added: “By taking some simple steps you will ensure your family can enjoy the hot weather whilst remaining safe during the summer. “