• Reference Number: HEY1481/2025
• Departments: Corporate
• Last Updated: 30 June 2025

Introduction

You are being moved to a “Temporary Escalation Space” (TES) on a ward while you wait for a bed and this leaflet explains why you’re being taken there.

Why This Is Happening

Our hospitals are very busy right now. Every day, there are more than 150 patients who are ready to go home but need to stay with us until arrangements are made to support them at home or in residential care. This means we can’t move patients out of Emergency Department and Acute Assessment areas and into wards. Ambulances are having to wait outside of our hospital instead of answering 999 calls to help people whose lives may be in danger.

What We Are Doing

We must ease this pressure, so we are using “Temporary Escalation Spaces” (TES). A TES is a safe area on a ward, monitored by nursing staff, where patients like you can wait until you can be moved to a bed.

What This Means for You

A senior doctor and nurse have checked you and decided your condition is stable. You’ll be taken to a ward, but you’ll wait in a chair or on a trolley/bed in this safe area for a bed. You will be made comfortable, and our staff will monitor you while you wait. We are sorry for this inconvenience, but it is necessary to move you for the safety of all patients.

Why This Is Important

This is the safest way for us to manage the flow of patients in our hospitals right now. This system helps us keep space in the Emergency Department for the most seriously ill and injured patients. It also allows ambulance crews to bring patients inside the hospital so they can get back on the road to responding to 999 calls.

What Happens Next

On the ward, the nursing team will look after you until a bed is ready. If you have any concerns, please talk to the nursing staff or the Matron, who can help you.

Thank you for your understanding. We apologise for inconvenience this may cause.