A 'VERY limited number' of beds are currently available in hospitals and care homes across Dorset as health and social services experience 'exceptional demand' - with the impact of Covid-19 said to be adding to the seasonal pressures this winter.

Health bosses say seasonal pressures and the continuing Covid-19 pandemic mean that there is a very limited number of beds available in hospitals and care homes across Dorset, with high numbers of staff off work, either with Covid-19 symptoms or isolating.

A number of initiatives have recently been introduced across Dorset in a bid to help them alleviate the demand on hospitals.

For example, hundreds of hospital patients are being seen at clinics on the top floor of Beales department store in Poole's Dolphin Centre and in the former council offices, South Walks House, in Dorchester, which has been transformed into an outpatient centre, in a bid to tackle long waiting lists.

And it has been revealed that University Hospitals Dorset contracted private company Abicare to provide 24-hour care on one floor of a Bournemouth hotel and the first 16 patients in a bid to alleviate pressure from the its hospital by helping patients who are medically ready to leave but need support in the short term before returning home.

A spokesman for Dorset County Hospital said: "Teams at Dorset County Hospital are doing everything they can to care for all the patients who need us and this includes resilience plans which ensure we have enough beds and staff to safely care for our inpatients."

Dr Forbes Watson, a local GP and chair of NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “We’d like to thank all our hard-working teams for their resilience and continued efforts to support Dorset people in these challenging circumstances.

“Teams across the health and care system in Dorset are doing all they can to keep people safe while tackling winter pressures and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

“We’d like to ask for the continuing support of Dorset people in using NHS services wisely. Relatives of those in hospital also play a valued role, and we’d like to thank those who are supporting their loved ones to leave hospital so that they can be more comfortable and recover much more quickly in their own homes.

“Also, if you haven’t had your first, second and booster Covid-19 jabs or have changed your mind, it’s not too late.”

The Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group are calling on the public to help them manage the demand and to keep services running.

It has asked the public to:

  • Support loved ones to leave hospital so that they can be more comfortable and recover more quickly at home.
  • Use NHS services wisely to get the right treatment, in the right place, at the right time. People who are unwell and are unsure about where to go, are being asked to visit nhs.uk or call 111.
  • Contact their local pharmacist or GP practice for ongoing or minor health issues.
  • Only ever call 999 in a medical emergency – this is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
  • Get vaccinated for Covid-19. For a full list of Covid-19 vaccine sites, visit dorsetccg.nhs.uk.