HOSPITAL chiefs say they will do everything they can to prevent “bed blocking” at the Royal Bolton this winter.

Their assurance comes after questions were asked about winter bed provision at the Bolton NHS Foundation Trust board of directors monthly meeting.

Hospital beds become “blocked” when patients are either waiting to be admitted through A&E for more than four hours or when patients are waiting to be discharged from hospital.

The Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Bolton NHS Foundation Trust have already set out a plan for the notoriously busy winter period, which includes opening an extra medical ward.

So far, 15 out 22 beds in the winter ward have opened but 14 patients are waiting on beds in nursing homes.

The trust insists there is not a problem with blocked beds currently and say they will work hard to ensure it is not an issue.

Chief operating officer Sheila Roberts said: “There are 15 beds currently open on our winter ward and there is the capacity for up to 22 beds should more be required.

“In relation to patients waiting for nursing home beds I can confirm that where we have patients waiting it relates to specific requirements for a particular home and that should availability become an issue we work with our colleagues in social services and the CCG to ensure a bed becomes available as soon as possible.

“Bed blocking can be an issue for some hospitals but we at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust work hard with colleagues to ensure this is not an issue.”