REACT Steps Up to Support Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust Amid Winter Crisis

Image: REACT Responders have been supporting patients experiencing extended waiting times at Frimley Hospital.

The winter months bring increased challenges to the healthcare sector, and this year so far has been no exception. Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust has partnered with REACT to address the heightened demand on emergency services at Frimley Park Hospital. REACT volunteers have been playing a vital role in alleviating the pressures faced by hospital staff since a critical incident was declared on Monday 6th January.

This response forms a small part of a broader response to the ongoing NHS winter demand and resourcing crisis. Emergency Departments (EDs) at both Frimley Park and Wexham Park are operating at capacity, with overflow areas extending into corridors. Long waiting times and limited bed availability necessitate innovative solutions to maintain patient care and provide them with emotional support. REACT volunteers are stepping up to provide non-clinical relief, allowing medical professionals to focus on patient treatment.

What REACT Volunteers Have Been Doing

REACT volunteers have been tasked with various non-clinical responsibilities that enhance the operational efficiency of the EDs. These include:

• Patient Reassurance: Offering comfort and moral support to patients and families in ED waiting areas and corridors.
• Porter Support: Assisting with moving patients and locating available beds.
• Stock Management: Re-stocking essential medical consumables.
• Administrative Assistance: Providing support with clerical tasks to ease the burden on medical staff.
• Refreshments: Distributing refreshments to patients and staff to improve their experience.
• Lab and Pharmacy Runs: Delivering samples to the lab and collecting medication from the pharmacy.

Working with the NHS Team

Collaboration is always at the heart of REACT's efforts, and Responders have worked seamlessly alongside NHS staff and other local volunteer groups to maximise the support for over 2000 patients and family members. Sara, a radiology coordinator at the hospital said ‘Your volunteers are amazing! I have told everyone how fantastic they are. They just get on with it and are magic!’.

A Community Effort

The REACT response at Frimley Park and Wexham Park Hospitals demonstrates the power of community collaboration during times of crisis. By addressing non-clinical needs, REACT volunteers are ensuring that hospital staff can focus on delivering critical medical care, demonstrating how coordinated efforts can make a significant difference when healthcare systems face extreme demand.