Eastbourne and Hastings hospitals see oxygen supply double in new upgrade

Oxygen capacity has doubled at the DGH and Conquest Hospital which will help with the response to Covid-19 as well other vital treatment for respiratory illnesses, a spokesperson from East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT) said.

ESHT said demand for medical oxygen to treat patients with Covid-19 ‘rose sharply’ in recent months.

Both sites have carried out an ‘extensive oxygen supply upgrade project’ with the installation of new oxygen storage cylinders at each hospital and new larger capacity distribution pipes.

The upgrades took five months and took place in multiple phases to enable areas of the hospitals to be switched over to the new distribution system whilst maintaining the supply at all times.

Chris Hodgson, director of estates and facilities at ESHT, said, “This has been a great team effort to deliver this massive project.

“We now have 2.5 times the oxygen flow rate and double the oxygen capacity across our two main hospitals, which will benefit many patients and has been a vital part of our Covid-19 response.

“This work, led and coordinated by the estates and facilities team, has had its logistical challenges and required a great deal of operational and clinical support from many teams throughout our hospitals.

“I am very grateful to all those who have pulled together to make this happen in such a short space of time. It is yet another example of how our marvellous teams continuing to work together during challenging times for the benefit of patients.”