MORE beds have been opened at Barnard Castle’s Richardson Hospital as the NHS increases capacity to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
The beds were placed in the hospital’s Starling Ward to release pressure on hospitals such as Darlington Memorial, which now has an emergency department to deal with Covid-19 patients.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has not confirmed if it plans to re-open Richardson Hospital’s Lowson Ward, which has been closed since 2015.
A spokesperson for the trust said, “Like other trusts across the NHS, we have been putting plans in place so that should we see increasing numbers of patients with Covid-19, we will be ready to give them the care they need while keeping them separate from other patients.
“We have introduced separate emergency departments for patients with respiratory problems at both University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital.
“A series of co-ordinated ward moves, including at Bishop Auckland Hospital, will increase our critical care capacity should it be needed.”
She added: “We benefit from having community hospitals which are playing their part in our planning and giving us increased flexibility if it’s required.
“At the Richardson and Sedgefield community hospitals we now have 24 beds available, should they be needed, up from 16, and at Weardale we have 20 beds, also up from 16.
“We’re very grateful to those in our communities across County Durham and Darlington for supporting us in the best way possible by following the guidance on social isolation and staying at home.”
Work to open up the Starling Ward has been a “monumental effort” by staff, according to one of the dale’s GPs.
Dr Julian Waller, partner GP from Barnard Castle Surgery, said: “It has been an amazing undertaking for the staff in pulling things together so quickly and I think it is important to recognise this.”
He also paid tribute to the residents of Teesdale in helping to reduce pressure faced by NHS staff by following advice and staying at home.
Dr Waller said: “It has been nice to see the community supporting each other.
“I would just like to say thank you to Morrisons for the big delivery of Easter eggs. Just when we felt like pulling out the last hair, they arrived and was just the tonic.
“It is important to say thank you when we get the opportunity. To everyone for help, support and patience, thank you.”
