OPEL 4 for Noble's Hospital due to 'unprecedented level of demand’

Highest alert for Island's health system

Noble’s Hospital is under ‘immense pressure’ and is experiencing an ‘unprecedented level of demand’.

Manx Care has confirmed the medical facility is currently operating at OPEL 4 on the Operational Pressures Escalation Level.

It’s the highest level of alert in the NHS and indicates that the health system is unable to deliver comprehensive care.

In the last 72 hours there have been 48 admissions; the average is normally 20.

Twelve people were admitted by 2.30pm today (13 May).

Sixteen people are currently in hospital beds waiting for social care support.

Yesterday (12 May) more than 100 people attended the Emergency Department seeking assistance.

Fifty 999 calls were made to the Emergency Services Joint Control Room on Tuesday; 30 had been received by 2.30pm today.  

The statistics were revealed at today’s Manx Care Board Meeting where senior leaders said there was ‘nothing obvious’ creating the pressure being experienced.

Yesterday all adult elective procedures were cancelled until Monday.

Children and cancer-related procedures however are proceeding as planned.

Impacted patients are being told they will be rescheduled within 28 days.

You can find out more HERE.

Manx Radio has invited Manx Care to comment.

In a statement it said: "Opel levels is a medical operational term used daily across the UK NHS to describe the operating pressures on a hospital and is a recognised framework for managing patient flow and demand across acute healthcare settings."