Managing with Extreme Weather Ralph Roberts Chief Operating Officer
NHS Borders - Context Smallest mainland Health Board in Scotland 1 DGH 4 Community Hospitals 24 GP Practices Single LA New Chief Executive 2 new Executive Directors
Population – 110, Square Miles 65% of the population live outside settlements of 10,000 people, (28% for Scotland)
Monday 4 th January Public Holiday Review of “Festive period” 99% –A&E activity down 9% –60 beds fewer across system –9% fewer admissions –Discharges / admissions in balance cold spell over festive period
Tuesday 5 th January Planned reduction in Elective Activity – URGENTS only New Executive Team meeting Schools closed – access SBC Emergency Co-ordination group – review forecast / school opening Extreme weather NOT forecast overnight
Wednesday 6 th Jan Heavy snowfall (15cm) freezing temps ( -14 c) Most B & C class roads impassable A Class roads – 4 WD only
Wednesday 6 th Jan: Early AM 06:30 – BGH Staffing issues escalated Emergency Services only / Public Communication Facilities for Night Staff 09:00 – HQ closed – Crisis Management Team at BGH
Wednesday 6 th Jan: AM Establish Crisis Management Team SBC Strategic Co-ordinating Group – “the bunker” Staffing / Service review by site Electives for 7 th January Information / Public Communication Late shift Staffing
Wednesday 6 th Jan: PM Supplies Information / Public Communication Emergency Retrieval Helicopter Out of Hours transport
Wednesday 6 th Jan: PM Supplies Information / Public Communication Emergency Retrieval Helicopter Out of Hours transport Night staff Initial Transport review Planning for 7 th Jan
Thursday 7 th Jan Limited additional snow Temp remain around -10 c Most B & C roads closed all day A class roads passable from mid afternoon
Thursday 7 th Jan Crisis Management Team Staffing – 2 shifts ahead Transport Hub Patient transport
Thursday 7 th Jan Crisis Management Team Staffing – 2 shifts ahead Transport Hub Patient transport Non emergency activity for Friday ? Emergency Retrieval
Thursday 7 th Jan Crisis Management Team Staffing – 2 shifts ahead Transport Hub Patient transport Non Emergency services for Friday ? Emergency Retrieval Crisis team / Operational teams
Friday 8 th Jan Elective services operating HQ re-opened Recovery phase
Friday 8 th Jan Elective services operating HQ re-opened Recovery phase Weekend Plans “counting the cost” Public Communications
Lessons - Systems Business Continuity Plans - initial escalation - scenarios - communication / Crisis Team -Information / IM&T -Decision Log
Lessons - Systems Business Continuity Plans - initial escalation - scenarios - communication / Crisis Team -Information / IM&T -Decision Log Transport - access to 4WD - supplies
Lessons - Systems Business Continuity Plans - initial escalation - scenarios - communication / Crisis Team -Information / IM&T -Decision Log Transport - access to 4WD - supplies Multi Agency links
Lessons - Systems Business Continuity Plans - initial escalation - scenarios - communication / Crisis Team -Information / IM&T -Decision Log Transport - access to 4WD - supplies Multi Agency links Specific patient groups - Vulnerable - Cancer - Dialysis - Emergency retrieval
Lessons - Staff Rate limiting factor Junior Doctors Contact Transport Flexibility Variability Policies / FAQs
Lessons - Communications Positive Control Simple messages Focus Staff
The big freeze grips the region True grit needed as big chill Grips the region Town is “cut off” as snow Wreaks havoc Winter White Out
Life - Savers Valiant efforts tackle Snowfall in Scottish Borders Snow hits stricken helicopter for six Borders snow clearance battle continues Keeping warm and well in the cold snap
Community spirit helped elderly survive Sea King returns to the skies Supplies on a sledge for hospital patients Exceptional efforts of NHS Borders Workers during the big freeze NHS Borders staff go the extra mile NHS Borders: Normal service resumes
Thank You Questions ?