This episode focuses on the perpetual challenges of trying to discharge older patients as the hospital experiences a bed shortage, alongside the added complexities of Covid-19 infection risks.

As autumn begins, the hospital's Emergency Department is seeing a resurgence of patients after a summer of low attendances. More people are arriving in A&E than almost any other day since last winter, and they are admitting more patients than they are discharging. Every patient being admitted must be tested for Covid-19, but the results can take up to 48 hours to come back. Staff must deal with the conundrum of where to place patients, as they must isolate symptomatic patients and manage the constant risk that those without symptoms later test positive. If a patient that was deemed low risk, and therefore placed on a ward, is then found to be Covid-19 positive, all patients that were in proximity to them must isolate, and therefore occupy one of the hospital's precious single rooms.

This issue, combined with the recurring challenge of older patients staying as in-patients for long periods, means that Barnet's bed shortage, which was an issue even prior to the pandemic, has suddenly multiplied. As the hospital hits capacity, the brand new Rainbow Ward, specifically built with a £4 million investment during the pandemic to ease the pressure created by Covid-19, stands empty. Building problems have delayed its opening, so the pressure to discharge patients is higher than ever.

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Hospital