The Times spends 12 hours in A&E
The Times reporter and feature writer, Lucy Bannerman, and photographer Richard Pohle had exclusive access to the Emergency Department at The Royal London Hospital last week.
On the day, Lucy shadowed Ana Magalhaes on her 12-hour shift as nurse in charge as she and her team navigate the pressures of supporting our patients – 110 by the time she handed over to the night team - whilst ensuring they receive the best possible care.
During the shift, Lucy also spoke with two matrons, Amy Hooton and Alastair Bursey, as well as a range of other clinical staff about their experience working in one of the busiest Emergency Departments in London.
I’m very proud of how we, as a team, have managed to deal with everything that has been thrown at us.
- Amy Hooton, matron
The piece documents staff morale, the mutual support and friendship between teams, as well as the ups and downs they navigate during a shift.
So far, the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London, is coping. Many of the staff are relieved to be working here.
- Lucy Bannerman, The Times
A second article also took an interest in the steps we are taking to reduce the pressures. This piece spotlights The Physician Response Unit team, who bring the emergency department to the patient, thanks to the presence of a senior doctor on board. The crew, can treat a wider range of illness at the scene, compared to traditional ambulance crews.
It also highlights the work of Remote Emergency Access Coordination Hub (REACH), which has saved over 6,800 ambulance visits and 6,500 unnecessary patient walk-ins to A&E.
Read more
- 12 hours in A&E – please note a subscription is required
- Mobile response teams ease pressures – please note a subscription is required