Temporary transfer of children’s inpatient ward at KGH
Here is an important message from Eileen Doyle, Hospital Chief Executive, Kettering General Hospital.
We have made the difficult decision to move staff and patients on the Skylark ward to either Poplar or Maple ward during week commencing 18th January. Please note that this is a temporary, internal ward change within Kettering Hospital, and no other children’s services – including A&E - are affected. We will transfer ward services back to Skylark as soon as possible.
Please note that children with long-term care plans or open access should continue to use our hospital services as they always have done. The only change is the ward they would need to attend if hospital-based care is required.
Skylark ward would provide us with 26 adult beds, which will make a major difference in our ability to provide safe, high quality care for the increasing number of people needing hospital treatment for COVID. Over recent weeks we have been caring for an average of 6 children on Skylark ward - the most has been 8 - and these children are not being treated for COVID. We plan to move children from Skylark ward to either the Maple or Poplar ward early next week. These two wards are much smaller and would not provide us with the capacity we need right now, which is why moving children to the smaller ward has to be the best and safest option. As soon as we can move children back to Skylark, we will do.
It’s important that people realise things are very serious right now across all hospitals and it is a harsh reminder of the need for Hands, Face, Space and adhering to lockdown rules. Thank you to everyone who is being as careful as possible. To everyone else, we need your help – this pandemic is real and it is harming people we love and care about.
The number of people needing hospital treatment for COVID continues to increase, with more patients admitted again in the last 24 hours. Our primary focus is ensuring that patients continue to have access to the safe and high quality care they can expect from us. We need to make sure this is still the case if things continue to get worse and so we are planning ahead and exploring options. These options have included the possibility of working with Northampton General Hospital. We’re not at that point yet, but we cannot rule it out completely if numbers keep rising.
Our decisions are being led by clinicians and made on the basis of which option ensures the highest possible level of access to clinical treatment and the highest possible levels of safety and care. Transferring patients and clinical teams off-site is not a move we wish to make, but it could become a possibility if things continue to worsen and it proves to be the best and safest option for our patients.
I would add that we have been open in exploring options with many staff and listening to their views and suggestions. I am proud to say that they have been very understanding and supportive about the proposal to move children to another ward at Kettering. They recognise we are all in this together and that we need to do what’s right for all our patients. Although this will mean a move for our children and members of Skylark’s paediatric team, we will ensure that all goes smoothly and everyone is well looked after throughout.”