Furness General Hospital
| Furness General Hospital | |
|---|---|
| University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust | |
 The Accident and Emergency entrance at FGH | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, North West England, United Kingdom |
| Organisation | |
| Care system | Public NHS |
| Hospital type | Teaching |
| Affiliated university | University of Liverpool |
| Services | |
| Emergency department | Yes Accident & Emergency |
| Beds | 268 |
| History | |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Links | |
| Website | Official website |
| Lists | Hospitals in the United Kingdom |
Furness General Hospital (FGH) is a hospital located in the Hawcoat area of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. It is part of the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust.[1]
Background
Description and departments
Opened on 14 October 1984 (replacing four local hospitals; Devonshire Road Hospital, North Lonsdale Hospital, Risedale Maternity Hospital and Roose Hospital), it is owned and operated by the British National Health Service and part of the branch, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay.[1] FGH is the second largest hospital in the South Cumbria/ North Lancashire region. The hospital has an emergency department, oncology unit, critical care unit, maternity and special care baby unit, numerous outpatient services and is also home to the Dane Garth Mental Health Unit.[1] The majority of people rescued from accidents in the Lake District Mountains come to FGH.[2] The more serious cases, including life-threatening injuries, are usually transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital.
Hospital radio station
Radio Lonsdale is the sole hospital radio station at Furness General Hospital and one of the oldest in the UK. The station was formed as far back as 1948, although it officially adopted its current name in 1965.
Radio Lonsdale broadcasts every Barrow AFC home game along with live concerts from the Forum Theatre, Barrow in Furness. From 2017, Radio Lonsdale will also broadcast every Barrow Raiders home rugby league match live to patients. There are a number of live shows each week and the station broadcasts around the clock thanks to its Myriad v.4 automatic play out software. The station volunteers visit the wards twice a week to register patients for the free Hospedia services and takes requests for the very popular Music Request Shows. From 2017, Radio Lonsdale will also broadcast every Barrow Raiders home rugby league match live to patients and it's main KC Studio will undergo extensive refurbishment during 2016.
Friends, relatives and patients may make music requests at any time by calling the studio on 01229 877877. Patients can also call the studio FREE using their Hospedia bedside phone on *800. Radio Lonsdale has a 24hr call recording service and will play all requests during the next live show. New volunteers always welcome!
Statistics
An average of between 1,200 and 1,300 babies are delivered in FGH every year, this is one of the lowest figures of any general hospital in North West England.[3][4] In terms or waiting times at FGH,.[5][6] The MRSA blood infection rate at the hospital is extremely low with only 0.8 infections for every 10,000 bed days.[6][7] (which is on par with national average).[6] Overall the hospital has been rated 'fair' although the food provided has been rated 'excellent' and the quality of the hospital environment, 'good' (81% of people who have rated FGH on the NHS official website would recommend to a friend).[6]
In late October 2011, leaked figures revealed that FGH had the worst mortality rate of any hospital in England.The mortality ratio for the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust (which also runs hospitals in Lancaster and Kendal) stood at 124, significantly higher than national average.
Notable incidents
- One of the world's worst legionnaires' disease outbreaks occurred in Barrow in October 2002. Ultimately 7 people died as a result of contracting the disease, while a further 172 cases were confirmed at FGH.[8]
- A number of injured passengers involved in the February 2007 Grayrigg train derailment were brought to the hospital.[9]
- FGH is home to the laboratory where a DNA test was conducted on the body recovered from the infamous Bluebird K7 crash which turned out to be Donald Campbell.[10]
- The body of Derrick Bird who killed 12 people in the 2010 Cumbria shootings was formally identified at FGH. However, unlike West Cumberland Hospital and the Cumberland Infirmary, FGH was not on high alert during the shooting spree itself.[11]
2004-2013 Maternity ward deaths investigation
See also
- Healthcare in Cumbria
- List of hospitals in England
- Barrow-in-Furness
- General Hospital
- National Health Service
- * P.H.S.O Report into just one complaint by a deceased relatives son
References
- 1 2 3 "Our hospitals: Furness General Hospital". University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
- ↑ "Coniston Mountain Resuce Incidents". Coniston Mountain Rescue. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
- ↑ "Barrow family's Furness General Hospital baby agony". North West Evening Mail. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
- ↑ "Basic Maternity Statistics For The Northwestern Region (2009)". BirthChoiceUK. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
- ↑ 93% of patients are treated within an 18 week period
- 1 2 3 4 "Furness General Hospital". National Health Service. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
- ↑ The mortality ratio at FGH is 100.3
- ↑ "Legionnaires' Disease Timeline". BBC. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
- ↑ "Community praised for heroic response". The Westmorland Gazette. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
- ↑ "DNA tests on Bluebird body". BBC. 29 May 2001. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
- ↑ "Inquests opened into Cumbrian shooting deaths". Whitehaven News. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
Coordinates: 54°08′11″N 3°12′28″W / 54.1364°N 3.2079°W