Another hospital trust has announced a critical incident this week due to intense and continual strain on its services.
Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) Trust revealed that since the Christmas period, elevated demand, winter illnesses, and staff absences have led to significant and unacceptable delays in its emergency department and hospital wards. The trust is urging the public to utilize A&E services only in cases of emergency or serious accidents.
This declaration comes after four NHS hospital trusts in South East England – three in Surrey and one in Kent – also declared critical incidents on Monday due to a surge in complex admissions to their A&E departments.
NHS Surrey Heartlands reported that the situation at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, and Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust was worsened by increases in flu and norovirus cases, along with a rise in staff sickness.
Additionally, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust declared a critical incident due to a significant and escalating demand for hospital care at Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital.
Andrew Hall, the chief operating officer of NUH Trust, expressed, “We are facing unprecedented pressures. Despite our teams working tirelessly, the demand on our hospitals far exceeds our capacity. Declaring a Critical Incident is a decision we did not take lightly, but it is essential to safeguard patient safety.”
Dr. Charlotte Canniff, Joint Chief Medical Officer of NHS Surrey Heartlands, emphasized the importance of utilizing NHS services appropriately and only visiting A&E in case of emergencies. She highlighted the need for timely discharge of patients to free up hospital capacity for those requiring treatment and advised the public to seek urgent medical help when needed.
Recent reports from hospital trusts in Birmingham, Staffordshire, and parts of Wales also indicated sustained pressure due to a rise in norovirus cases.