Due to increased pressures at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, we have taken the decision to escalate RLI to OPEL 4 - the highest level of internal escalation. This allows us to be able to take additional steps to maintain safe services for our patients and help us cope with the significant and growing demand we are facing.
Operations Pressure Escalation Levels (OPEL) is a method used by the NHS to measure the stress, demand and pressure a hospital is under, with OPEL 4 representing the high escalation level. OPEL 4 is declared when a hospital is ‘unable to deliver comprehensive care’ and patient safety is at risk.
Whilst FGH is operating normally, the decision to declare RLI OPEL 4 has been made due to the high demand we are seeing at RLI.
As always, patient safety must take priority and we need to take action to make sure that those who are more clinically urgent get the help they need as quickly as possible.
There are some immediate actions being taken by Trust teams and our partners, including:
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Utilising all alternative options to ED, including Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC), Surgical Emergency Ambulatory Care (SEAC), the Gynaecology Assessment Unit (GAU), and the Priority Admission Discharge Unit (PADU)
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Community colleagues focusing on admission avoidance activities and espediting discharges where possible
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Cancellation of non-essential meetings/activities in order to redirect clinician time to patient-facing activities
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Seeking support from local place-based partners, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) system partners which includes Primary Care, FCMS, Local Authorities and NWAS.
What can you do to help?
If you are not contacted directly, please continue to turn up for your appointment. Please also contact the number on your appointment letter if you are no longer able to make your appointment so it can be reallocated to another patient.
Our teams continue to work exceptionally hard; and we would like to reassure our patients and the public that in spite of the challenges faced, essential services remain fully open for anyone who needs them so if you require urgent medical help, please continue to come forward.
The public can help us manage these periods of demand by ensuring they are seeking help from the most appropriate health services, and only attending A&E for serious accidents and emergencies. If you are unwell, visit NHS 111 online for 24/7 advice about the most appropriate care for your needs.