HOSPITALS in East Sussex are prepared to “step up” services should there be a second wave of the coronavirus infections, health leaders have heard.

Preparations for a potential second wave were discussed at a board meeting of East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust –  the trust which runs the DGH and Conquest hospitals. 

Following questions from board members, hospital bosses said the trust was prepared to face a second round of cases “up to around double” the first. Dr David Walker, the trust’s medical director, said: “We have protocols in place for the management of patients with Covid or suspected Covid. We have stepped a lot of those down but they are absolutely ready to step up again if we see a new surge coming. We have gained significant experience from what has happened before.”