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Date: 22 May 2012
Time: 17:24
QEHB prepares for papal visit
Story posted/last updated: 16 September 2010
Britain's newest hospital is on standby to cope with the influx of followers for the visit to Birmingham of Pope Benedict XVI this weekend.
The papal visit is expected to draw more than 70,000 people, many of whom will be arriving early on Sunday 19 September for the mass at Cofton Park.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), as the major trauma centre for the West Midlands, will be on standby to receive patients who require hospital treatment during the event.
The hospital, the largest of its kind in Europe, has 1,213 beds covering a large range of specialties, including trauma, burns, respiratory and cardiac.
“The large number of people attending this event is similar to a major football match, but with a very different demographic,” said division director of operations Neil Grogan, who is leading the Trust’s preparations for the visit.
“For example, we expect a large number of elderly people to attend, many of whom will be waiting from early in the morning. Some of these people are at risk from existing health conditions, so we have prepared accordingly,” he said.
“Most medical problems at events like these are relatively minor and would be treated at the scene, but we are working closely with West Midlands Ambulance Service and West Midlands Police to ensure anyone who requires hospital care can be treated as quickly as possible.”
“We have an existing major incident plan in place should it be required to deal with a large number of patients.”
As a precautionary measure, a decontamination tent will be erected outside the QEHB Emergency Department on Sunday morning. This will enable the hospital to respond more quickly to any incident related to the papal visit.
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