This week CHFT has experienced some of the most challenging ever bed situations. 

There have a been extra ward rounds by our doctors to identify those patients who are ready to leave us, more nursing input and our senior teams are meeting three times a day and talking to partners in community to ensure we are on top of the situation.  All this extra work has meant we are managing..but only just. 

So, a big thanks to everyone for all the extra work and different ways you have been working to keep CHFT on top of these challenges.

To bring you up to speed with our response:

* We have  calls three times a day with partner organisations;

* We have cancelled all non-essential work;

* We have partner staff working in multi-disciplinary teams within the Trust to help identify patients suitable for discharge and identify places for them out of hospital;

We will provide further updates over the next few days. So thank you, everyone, for your hard work, commitment and dedication to delivering patient care with compassion.

Director of Nursing Julie Dawes and Chief Operating Officer Helen Barker