December 11, 2020, 10:29
On December 10, the State Operational Medical Commission decided to declare a medical emergency in Latvia.
This means that treatment facilities will be more free to use their resources to help both Covid-19 and emergency patients with other conditions.
This is the last signal to the public that the situation in medical institutions is very complicated, and everyone’s support is needed in the fight against the spread of Covid-19, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Health Daina Mūrmane-Umbraško emphasized at the press conference.
Operational data on December 10 show that the occupancy of Covid-19 beds has reached an average of 76%, while at Riga East Clinical University Hospital and Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital – even 90%. At the same time, epidemiological projections suggest that hospital use will continue to increase due to Covid-19 patients. Data from the last seven days show that the number of inpatients has increased by 44% compared to the week before (an average of 93 new patients per day). Although hospitals continue to re-profile existing beds and there are still opportunities to do so and find other solutions, it has been concluded that it is now necessary to declare a medical emergency in Latvia, as the available resources are no longer sufficient.
The medical emergency means that Covid-19 hospitals will be able to involve medical staff who would not normally work with patients with infectious diseases. It will also be possible to reschedule work and leave so that a large number of staff are not available in times of crisis.
This legal status also speeds up the decision-making process and the VOMK has wider powers to instruct healthcare institutions to redirect certain healthcare services and patient flows. For example, if a hospital is unable to provide health care services that must not be interrupted, it will be provided in another medical facility. Level 2 and 3 hospitals will also have to take patients from regional and university hospitals whose health status and subsequent treatment process allows.
The Ministry of Health supports the possibility of establishing regional coordinators to track patient flows. It will be decided today and Monday.
Already today, other hospitals have expressed readiness to participate in the admission of Covid-19 patients, for example, Aizkraukle Hospital is ready to open 40 Covid-19 patient beds, Ludza Medical Center – 30, Dobele and surroundings hospital – 16. Balvi and Gulbene Hospital have already been decided greater involvement of the association by providing the government with the necessary funding for the creation of 15 beds. Hospitals that currently house Covid-19 patients are also continuing to re-profile existing beds.
At the same time, as before, hospitals will decide for themselves on the restriction of certain planned and other health care services, taking into account the specific situation, primarily by providing emergency care. Emergency medical and acute care, including examinations and consultations, will continue to be provided. Outpatient health care services will also be provided in the previous amount, including specialist consultations. Oncological, life-saving, as well as operations, the cancellation of which may result in disability, will also not be canceled.
Each treatment facility will contact the patient individually to inform them if a service will be delayed. These patients will not lose their queue and will be given priority when resuming specific services.
For more detailed information on state-paid health care services, contact the National Health Service at 80001234.
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