Operational Pressures Escalation Level (OPEL) Plan

Introduction

The Trust’s escalation status is an indicator of the operational pressures the organisation is experiencing. Key factors influencing divisional and overall, Trust escalation status include: predicted demand, available resources, and capacity. The national framework for Operational Pressures Escalation Level (OPEL) is designed to ensure standardisation of escalation status declaration, interpretation, and response. This plan is based upon the national framework and has been adapted to incorporate specific triggers (at a local level), influencing both departmental and Trust wide escalation status. This plan should be read in conjunction with the NHSE/I-Southeast OPEL Framework, local Onward Care/Repatriation Procedures, the National Operational Escalation Levels Framework 2018, and all local System Plans relating to winter and surge/escalation.

Aims and Objectives

This plan enables ASPH to ensure alignment with NW Surrey Local A&E Delivery Boards (LAEDB) and the wider systems OPEL status (including their escalation protocols and de-escalation strategies), ensuring:

• Maintenance of quality and patient safety as a priority
• A consistent approach to mitigation of peaks in demand; in times of pressure
• Clear expectations around roles and responsibilities for all those involved in escalation in response to surge pressures at local level, in and out of hours
• Setting consistent terminology.
• This plan is designed for managers, allied health professionals and clinicians involved in managing capacity and patient throughput (as business as usual) and at a time of excess demand and/or other operational pressures.
• It is to be circulated to all staff to provide a practical working reference tool, thereby aiding co-ordination, communication, and implementation of effective response procedures by each division / dept, at every level of command and control (Bronze, Silver & Gold).

Policy Details

See also:

• Internal Incident Plan
• Business Continuity Plan
• Outbreak Plan
• On-call Managers Policy
• Admission and Discharge Policy
• Rostering and Temporary Staffing Policy
• NHSE/I OPEL Framework
• Surrey Heartlands ICS surge & Escalation plan
• Surrey Safe Care BC Plan