AN influx of patients at Ipswich Hospital has meant several extra beds have been opened up to cope with the high demand.

Naomi Gornall

AN influx of patients at Ipswich Hospital has meant several extra beds have been opened up to cope with the high demand.

Ten wards have opened extra beds within the last week due to the number of patients coming through the doors.

According to Jan Rowsell, an Ipswich Hospital spokeswoman, there is not one particular reason for the number of admissions but she claims the staff are coping well with the demand.

She said: “We have been exceptionally busy but we have coped and we have not had to turn anyone away. There is no one reason for it. We have just had a large number of poorly patients. There is no doubt that as the weather gets colder and the days get darker, people need more specialist care at hospital.

“We have a plan which is based on opening up different treatment areas. When there is an influx of patients we have got to make sure the people who are well enough can leave to go home.

“We have more beds open than we normally have. We would not have more than eight extra beds open per ward.”

She also added that the hospital tends to get busier during holiday times as people, who are normally supported by family or friends, can be left alone and become more reliant on specialist care.

At this time of year there are more patients suffering from seasonal flu. There is also expected to be a second wave of swine flu breaking out although vaccinations to protect against the virus are currently being offered to those most at risk.