NHS hospitals like NNUH have embraced a new system called the Continuous Flow Model, where patients are transferred from A&E to other areas even when full, aiming to tackle mounting ambulance delays outside A&E.
This model, initially introduced at North Bristol NHS Trust, spread to 10 hospitals with the most delays and now over 36 hospitals use it. Although challenging, it enables quicker ambulance access to critical patients.
Adoption of this approach involves bed placements in corridors, a practice seen as necessary and planned. NNUH's chief executive highlights the life-saving impact by enhancing 999 response times and enhancing community ambulance availability.
While admitting the transfer of risk to corridors might be seen as a drawback, NNUH acknowledges its positive impact on ambulance handover times and community benefits, balancing the trade-offs involved.
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