PATIENTS at Hampshire Hospitals will be discharged when they have received all the acute care they need – even if they continue to test positive for Covid-19.

It comes as almost all beds in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are full because of rising Covid rates and increased demand.

Health leaders in the county have called the situation a “perfect storm” with more 2,800 NHS staff off sick.

Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said almost half of staff sicknesses were due to Covid.

More than 650 people with Covid-19 are currently being cared for in hospitals across the area – more than 2.5 times higher than in early January during the peak of winter.

The CCG said that “due to significant and sustained pressures”, health leaders are having to make “some very difficult decisions to prioritise patients who are most in need of emergency care”.

This includes:

People arriving at the Emergency Department (ED) who don’t need emergency care will be redirected elsewhere.

Patients will be discharged from hospital when they have received all of the acute care they need – even if they continue to test positive for Covid-19.

Relatives and carers are also being asked to ensure their loved one can be discharged quickly to help free up beds for those who need them and support their ongoing care.

Dr Derek Sandeman, Chief Medical Officer for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System, said: “People working across health and care in Hampshire and Isle of Wight continue to go above and beyond the call of duty to give their patients safe care.

“With staff sickness rates well above average, rising cases of Covid-19 and very high numbers of people needing treatment, we face a perfect storm – but there are some very specific ways in which people can help the frontline NHS and care teams.

“If you have a loved one who is in hospital, please help staff to help get them home quickly when they are well enough – even if they are still testing positive for Covid. That is enormously important to help us make beds available for those in greatest need.

“Our Emergency Departments are for those in greatest need – if you aren’t quite sure what help you need, please contact 111.nhs.uk to get the right help for you.”

Last week Hampshire Hospitals, which runs Basingstoke, Winchester and Andover hospitals, were put on a top alert after seeing a surge in demand for their services.

Julie Dawes, Chief Nurse for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Chief Nursing Officer at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System, said: “Through the pandemic we have risen to unimaginable challenges, and we find ourselves there again. Our teams are doing their very best to care for our patients, but we cannot keep going without the help of each and every person in our local community.

“As much as we would all like it to be, Covid isn’t over. The high numbers of positive cases are impacting both our staff and our ability to provide the care we aim to provide - please do all you can to limit transmission and stay safe.

“It’s really important our emergency departments are only caring for patients with urgent or life-threatening needs – those who don’t need emergency care will have to wait much longer to be seen or redirected as we prioritise those in most need of our help.

“We have seen first-hand the impact when local people rally around their NHS – please do so now. If you have a loved one in hospital and can support them to return home it will make a big difference."