Sussex hospitals Covid figures compared to first wave peak

As of January 12, all health trusts in our area were treating more patients than at the height of the pandemic in April.  

One trust had five times as many patients - with full figures available below.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned there was a “very substantial” risk of intensive care units being overwhelmed by the current wave of Covid-19 cases, as the number of patients in hospital with the virus reached a record high nationally.

Across England, 32,200 patients were in hospital with the virus on Tuesday morning – a record number, and 70% more than the first-wave peak of 19,000.

Of those, 3,200 were on mechanical ventilation beds.

Western Sussex Hospitals Health Trust runs Worthing Hospital

Mr Johnson told MPs: "If you ask me when do we think that the ICU capacity is likely to be overtopped, I can’t give you a prediction for that.

"But all I can say is that the risk is very substantial, and we have to keep the pressure off the NHS and the only way to do that is to follow the current lockdown."

Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director for Public Health England, said the rate at which people are being admitted to hospital is now higher than at any point during the pandemic.

"We are still seeing thousands of people having to go to hospital each day," she said.

"Worryingly, these numbers are likely to get worse before we see the benefits of our efforts to protect the NHS, which will mean more pressure for our health service than ever before."

READ MORE: Remembering NHS staff who died after contracting coronavirus

The Health Foundation think thank cautioned that the rising number of coronavirus patients in hospital was putting strain on other services, which are now facing significant backlogs.

Tim Gardner, senior policy fellow, said: "The pressure on hospitals is far greater than during a typical winter due to the surge in people admitted with Covid-19 and the extra measures needed to protect patients and staff from exposure.

"The immediate priority is getting through the weeks ahead, but the Government must not underestimate the challenges that the NHS will continue to face even once the current crisis has passed."

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust

NHS England data shows 243 people were being treated for Covid-19 at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust by 8am on January 12.

That was a rise of 40% compared to the peak of 174 reported during April last year, and up from 153 on the same day a week earlier.

Separate monthly figures from the NHS give an insight into the ages of patients admitted at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust.

In the seven days to January 6, seven of the 13 Covid admissions were of people aged between 18 and 64.

East Sussex Healthcare Trust

NHS England data shows 422 people were being treated for Covid-19 at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust by 8am on January 12.

That was over five times more than the peak of 74 reported during April last year.

Separate monthly figures from the NHS give an insight into the ages of patients admitted at East Sussex Healthcare Trust.

In the seven days to January 6, nine of the 49 Covid admissions were of people aged between 18 and 64 – seven more than the total number in that age group admitted during the whole of April last year.

Sussex Community Trust

NHS England data shows 91 people were being treated for Covid-19 at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust by 8am on January 12.

That was a rise of 30% compared to the peak of 70 reported during April last year, and up from 66 on the same day a week earlier.

Separate monthly figures from the NHS give an insight into the ages of patients admitted at the Sussex Community Trust.

In the seven days to January 6, two of the 32 Covid admissions were of people aged between 18 and 64 – while none in that age group were admitted during the whole of April last year.

Sussex Partnership Trust

NHS England data shows 86 people were being treated for Covid-19 at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust by 8am on January 12.

That was over four times more than the peak of 18 reported during April last year.

Figures for the the age of patients admitted at Sussex Partnership Trust were not available.

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust

NHS England data shows 256 people were being treated for Covid-19 at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust by 8am on January 12.

That was a rise of 66% compared to the peak of 154 reported during April last year.

Figures for the the age of patients admitted at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust were not available.

Western Sussex Hospitals Trust

NHS England data shows 260 people were being treated for Covid-19 at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust by 8am on January 12.

That was over three times more than the peak of 80 reported during April last year.

Separate monthly figures from the NHS give an insight into the ages of patients admitted at Western Sussex Hospitals Trust Trust.

In the seven days to January 6, seven of the 10 Covid admissions were of people aged between 18 and 64.