Russells Hall Hospital being prepared for second wave of coronavirus as patient numbers rise
Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital is being prepared for a second wave of coronavirus as the number of patients starts to rise again.
Health bosses at Russells Hall said there had been an increase in Covid-19 patients over recent weeks, as cases rise across the country.
The same thing has been happening at other hospitals in the Black Country, with NHS chiefs putting plans in place they hope will stop hospitals becoming overwhelmed if cases continue to rise.
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Diane Wake, chief executive of the Dudley Group NHS Trust, which runs Russells Hall, said in her latest report to board members, written last week: "We are beginning to see an increase in the numbers of coronavirus inpatients attending hospital.
"The rate per 100,000 of the population in Dudley as of September 29, 2020 was 46.2. The trust currently has nine inpatients and has sadly seen three deaths in the last seven days.
"Preparations and planning is under way to ensure the hospital is prepared for a second surge in Covid cases.
"National guidance is to continue delivering the restoration and recovery plan while managing any impact of Covid. The staff have been very responsive and continue to work with us to keep our patients safe in our care."
Bosses at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital and Sandwell Hospital have also reported rising coronavirus patients over recent weeks.
While cases have been rising for weeks across the UK, it had not resulted in a large rise in hospital admissions, with young people those having been mostly affected.
But health chiefs say that has now begun to change, with preparations for managing a second wave being ramped up.
