Coronavirus in the UK: Hospital in Wales is urgently appealing for medical students to help treat critical patients

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has put out an appeal on social media saying it is urgently looking for help from medical students or other staff groups who have previously assisted with ‘proning’ patients.

Hospital in Wales is urgently appealing for medical students to help treat critical patients

Cardiff and Vale UHB tweeted: “Our Critical Care Department is urgently looking for assistance from medical students or other staff groups who have previously supported with proning patients.

“If you are fit tested and available at 9am/5pm over the next few days call 02921 841174 or bleep 5490. Thank you.”

Proning is a technique where patients are turned onto their front to help with breathing.

Wales Online reports that the latest figures show that rates in the country have reached an all time high as pressure grows on Wales’ critical care wards.

Last week, Wales was shown to have the second highest number of cases compared to population in the world.

The reports suggest that this pressure is the key reason that the Welsh Government ordered a full level four lockdown last weekend.

The total number of beds currently occupied by coronavirus patients in Wales is higher than the previous peak in April, 2020.

Hospital in Wales is urgently appealing for medical students to help treat critical patients

Figures indicate that in the area with the most coronavirus cases, more than 50% of the capacity in ICU is taken up by patients suffering with the virus. Hospitals resources are already stretched in winter so losing half of their capacity presents a big challenge.

Cardiff and Vale UHB have clarified on Twitter that while they can’t respond to every tweet, they are grateful for all the help they can get and encourage those able to assist to call 02921 841174.

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