Royal Cornwall Hospital '95 per cent full' as new figures reveal scale of NHS bed crisis
Watch as Sam Blackledge reports on the ongoing pressures on the NHS
Hospitals in Cornwall and Devon are reportedly '95 per cent' full as the region's hospitals struggle with bed space.
New NHS England figures show in the first week of January, more than 95 per cent of general and acute beds at hospitals in Truro and Torbay were full.
The high proportion of bed occupancy at the Royal Cornwall Hospital has led to higher waiting times in emergency departments - in Plymouth and Exeter, the figures stood at around 90 per cent occupancy.
The number of patients being admitted with flu has also risen sharply.
Most of the region's hospital trusts have stood down their 'critical incident' status, but hospitals remain extremely busy.
A spokesperson for Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said: “Although our bed occupancy is often high, patient safety is always our top priority and our staffing is reviewed twice daily to ensure we have the right number of people with the right skills to care for our patients.
"We are working hard through our ‘Home for Lunch’ initiative to discharge more of our patients earlier in the day, to free up space for others needing admission and make the most effective use of beds across our hospitals.
"On Tuesday 7 January, we shared that University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust had declared a Critical Incident due to significant and rising demand for hospital care.
"Following incredible efforts by our staff and colleagues in partner organisations over the last few days, I am pleased to report that our position has improved and the decision has been taken to step down from Critical Incident as of late morning (Thursday 9 January).
"It is important to note that although the critical incident has been stood down we continue to have many patients needing hospital care and we have a relentless focus on minimising waits for patients, working to this end with other partners across both the Devon and Cornwall healthcare systems. Thank you to everyone who has supported us."
'Alternative sources are maximised out'
Patients with non life-threatening conditions are being asked to use pharmacies and minor injury units to avoid overwhelming emergency departments.
Tony Gravett, chair of Healthwatch Devon, told ITV West Country this is not always possible.
He said: "I think there is some frustration about being able to see other health professionals.
"GPs are very busy, as are pharmacists. So the information that is being provided by the NHS about seeking alternative sources are also maximised out. That is what we are hearing at the moment."
On Wednesday evening a 'critical incident' - which lasted for five days - was stood down across Cornwall.
'Being at home is much better for mental wellbeing'
Lucy Clement, associate director for community nursing with Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said the focus is on getting people out of hospital who are well enough to leave.
She said: "It's really important to get patients closer to home and in their own home.
"When you come into the hospital you tend to decondition. We always want to get people back to their independence in their own home.
"Obviously, you've got your family and loved ones around you usually, you've got all of your own items in your own environment, so it's much better for people's mental and physical wellbeing.
"I think everybody has been working extremely hard in all of our community and acute services to actually embed new ways of work and this winter especially.
"I think they've had a real positive impact in us being able to turn things around."