Letter: Why Have Waverley and Guildford Been Treated Differently?

Published on: 18 Dec, 2020
Updated on: 18 Dec, 2020

From: Paul Jarvis

In response to: Guildford Among Surrey Areas Classed As Tier 3, Very High Covid Alert Level

I take issue with the statement from Cllr Tim Oliver: “But we need to take swift action to save lives and stop our crucial NHS services from being put under even more pressure”.

The RSCH NHS Trust which covers areas in Guildford and Waverley is far from “under pressure”.

Official stats show that on December 16 there were a total of 43 patients with Covid, seven on ventilators.

Consider that a new 20-bed Covid facility [Guildford Borough Council Ward] has been provided, I cannot believe for a second that even RSCH alone, a 520-bed hospital, is overwhelmed by these 23 patients (assuming their transmission was not nosocomial [ie originating or taking place in the hospital]).

The NHS hospital trust treats circa 90k inpatients per year. This year, it has had 519 Covid admissions all year. Covid will have accounted for just 0.6% of the trusts yearly patients and is currently taking up 8% of beds.

Finally, what logic was used to allow Waverley to be in Tier 2 whilst Guildford goes into Tier 3? On the day of the decision, the 7-day rates were 167 (Guildford) and 144 (Waverley). Not hugely different and when 7-day rate of growth is considered it is 60% (Guildford) and 86% (Waverley) – Waverley is growing much faster.

So, we have the same NHS trust (which doesn’t seem to be anywhere near its limits), we have very similar case rates and Waverley has a much faster growth rate. How on earth is it correct for Waverley and Guildford to be in different Tiers? It is fortunate for our MP that she lives in Waverley, not Guildford.

All data has been taken from the Covid-19 government dashboard and the RSCH NHS trust website.

Responses to Letter: Why Have Waverley and Guildford Been Treated Differently?

Jim Allen Reply

December 18, 2020 at 5:36 pm

There is no logic because there can be no logic. The virus is not logical

There is a reason it is called a pandemic, and it will be far safer for Waverley residents to act as though they are in Tier 3 than GBC residents act as if they are in Tier 2.
Richard Griggs Reply

December 19, 2020 at 10:02 am

Absolutely correct. The entire methodology used by this government bears no scrutiny. Mr Hunt, the MP for Waverley, is also fortunate.

When will we be given the real facts?
Frank Phillipson Reply

December 19, 2020 at 1:50 pm

Do we need to argue about what measures are taken for everyone’s good? See below:

Pressure on hospitals “at a really dangerous point”. BBC News, 18.12.20

Nearly 90% of hospital beds in England are full as hospitals try to cope with the demands of Covid in addition to normal winter pressures.
Ambulances queuing to offload patients, staff sickness and a lack of beds mean hospitals are “at a really dangerous point”, say emergency doctors.

This could result in some trusts facing the decision to stop non-Covid work.

Rises in hospital admissions are particularly affecting areas in the South.
Peter Davies Reply

December 19, 2020 at 4:46 pm

As we know we are in a pandemic; we should not be trying to find ways around the restrictions by squabbling about who is more restricted and who is not.

The argument should be why are we less restricted, less restricted puts us more at risk, is that what anyone wants? The RSCH hospital has spare capacity, good. They can offer help and if someone else is overwhelmed we can help them.

If you want to win a battle you do not squabble about who has the best rifle, you pick up the one you have got and get on with the job.

Keep safe and if in doubt stay at home.
Wayne Smith Reply

December 20, 2020 at 12:53 pm

Well said, Peter Davies. Historians will look back on these times and wonder, “Just what the hell were they thinking and doing in the midst of a pandemic?”
Georgina Grant Reply

December 21, 2020 at 11:08 am

Living in Waverley, I just fear incursions by those in Tier 4 who ignore the rules.