Two-thirds of COVID-19 intensive care patients in Cheltenham and Gloucestershire's Hospitals have been discharged
Two thirds of COVID-19 patients who received intensive care at CheltenhamGeneral and Gloucestershire Royal Hospitals have been discharged according to the local NHS Trust.
Clinicians say the high ratio of survival is a strong signal of success in response to the pandemic locally.
Gloucestershire has seen more people die with Covid-19 than any other county in the region, with more than 480 people passing away with the virus.
Data for the period 15 March to 1 May 2020 shows the following:
READ MORE:
Drive-through coronavirus testing unit to be set up in Gloucestershire by the Army
Single parents must not be forgotten warn mothers from Bristol and Gloucestershire
Clinicians have put the figures down to extensive planning, the professionalism, dedication and compassion of healthcare staff across Gloucestershire and the public’s ongoing support in continuing to obey strict lockdown rules.
Dr David Windsor, Clinical Lead for Critical Care in Gloucestershire, said the response to this pandemic to date "has filled me with immense pride".
"It’s been quite incredible to see the levels of co-operation, commitment and compassion shown by healthcare staff not only within the Department of Critical Care but throughout the hospitals more generally and across the health and care system in Gloucestershire.
"Every single member of our team – domestics, nurses, ward clerks, therapists, managers and doctors have stepped up to deliver the best possible care in very unique and challenging circumstances”
Traditionally the Department of Critical Care (DCC) in both hospitals has capacity to treat up to a maximum of 18 ventilated patients.
Arrangements have been put in place to expand to 142 Intensive Treatment Unit (ITU) beds across both hospitals of which 91 were equipped with ventilators.
Dr Windsor says it usually takes a department like this "several years to increase capacity by even two beds".