Children's ward closed in staffing crisis

Rochdale Infirmary

The children’s unit at Rochdale Infirmary was forced to temporarily close because some nurses were off sick.

The staff shortage on Tuesday (21 July), meant no new patients could be taken in, sparking major concerns with Paul Rowen MP, who says there are not enough nurses employed at the hospital.

A spokesman for Pennine Acute trust confirmed that the absent nurses were not off with suspected swine flu.

John Lindars, divisional director of women and children’s services at The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "Rochdale Infirmary was unable to take any more new child admissions onto its in-patient ward from early evening on Tuesday 21 July until part way through the night due to reduced nurse staffing levels due to unforeseen staff sickness.
“Patient safety and care is always our main priority.

“The level of patient dependency and the ratio of nurse to patient to maintain the safest care for children on the wards was an important factor in the decision to close the ward to new admissions temporarily."

Paul Rowen MP said: “What is clear is that the reconfiguration is having a detrimental effect on Rochdale Infirmary’s ability to deliver children’s services.

“It’s clear that the transfer of staff to North Manchester was done too quickly leaving our Infirmary with a threadbare service.

“With the current situation with swine flu, staff sickness is only going to get worse and the trust need to step in and ensure appropriate staffing levels. Our children are at serious risk in the current situation and this is unacceptable.

“Having spoken to staff at the hospital, it is clear that their excuse of ‘unforeseen staff sickness’ is in itself an excuse.”