Russells Hall Hospital boss fears staff shortage pressure on A&E
A hospital could be left facing a staffing crisis this winter after its A&E experienced its busiest night on record, bosses have warned.
Russells Hall in Dudley is likely to lose more staff than it brings in over the coming months, according to a top director at the trust running the hospital, ramping up the pressure on the crisis-hit unit.
It is feared potential staff shortages could increase the pressure on the hospital over the winter months when the number of patients filing into A&E will dramatically increase.
The hospital is currently drafting up an urgent plan to try and deal with serious concerns raised by the health watchdog, including over sepsis management, while neighbouring Royal Wolverhampton Trust has been brought in to try and lead a turnaround.
Now staff shortages could be about to add to the woes heading into winter.
The gloomy warnings come following the exit of chief nurse Siobhan Jordan this week, which chiefs have denied is linked to a whistleblowing probe.
Dudley Group NHS Trust non-executive director Julian Atkins aired concerns over staffing at a recent board meeting and warned Russells Hall could face ‘challenges’. It was also revealed Russells Hall experienced its busiest night on record during September when a total of 310 people arrived at the emergency department.
A report from the meeting said: “Mr Atkins confirmed that predictions show that the trust will lose more staff than it will recruit over the next six months and this will provide a further challenge to the trust over winter.” Health chiefs said the the trust, which runs the hospital, must improve retention of staff and persuade workers from leaving.
The report continued: “The director of HR stated that the organisation has to improve its retention of staff.”
The reported that plans were also being developed, which included improving the exit interview process and staff engagement initiatives.
