QEH on Red Alert over beds
LYNN'S Queen Elizabeth Hospital has been on red alert with fewer than 20 beds remaining, as hospitals across the east of England reportedly brimmed with patients.
Norfolk and Norwich Hospital had ambulances queued outside on Wednesday when beds there became full and it reached emergency status.
A QEH spokesman said red alert is declared when less than 20 of the hospital's 409 beds are free and is reached fairly routinely over winter months when cold snaps can lead to increased illness.
He added: "When we reach that level we look carefully at discharges and transfers, to find ways of freeing more bed space.
"As of today (Friday), although we remain on red alert, we still have a number of beds free and we have not had to turn away anyone already booked to come in for a non-urgent operation."
All wards have now reopened following restrictions being put in place due to an outbreak of winter vomiting bug norovirus.
No new cases have been recorded but the outbreak cannot be officially declared over until next week.
Four wards were closed to new patients when 60 patients and 34 staff displayed symptoms of the diarrhoea and vomiting bug.
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Weather for Kings Lynn
Thursday 09 September 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 16 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South west
