Four NHS hospital trusts in England have declared critical incidents after a “surge” in A&E admissions driven in large part by patients with flu, norovirus and respiratory viruses.
Three trusts in Surrey and one in Kent sounded the alarm after a “surge in complex attendances to A&E departments”.
A critical incident, which is usually declared when A&E departments are not able to necessarily deliver all of their services safely, is the highest alert level used by the NHS and allows bosses to take immediate steps to create capacity.
NHS Surrey Heartlands said the situation at three hospital trusts – Royal Surrey NHS foundation trust, Epsom and St Helier university hospitals NHS trust and Surrey and Sussex healthcare NHS trust – was “exacerbated by increases in flu and norovirus cases and an increase in staff sickness”.
It added that the “recent cold weather front has also impacted on more frail patients needing to be admitted to hospital”.
East Kent hospitals university NHS foundation trust declared a critical incident at Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother hospital (QEQM) due to “significant and rising demand for hospital care”.
It said its hospitals were “experiencing exceptionally high demand, driven by a continued high admission rate and a large number of patients with winter illnesses and respiratory viruses”.
This has resulted in beds across its hospitals being at full capacity and, due to high attendance at A&E, “there is very limited capacity to admit further patients who need acute care”.
Dr Charlotte Canniff, the joint chief medical officer of NHS Surrey Heartlands, said: “Due to extreme pressures, today hospitals and the ICB in Surrey Heartlands have taken the decision to escalate to a critical incident.
“Our teams continue to work exceptionally hard and we would like to reassure patients and the public that despite the challenges faced and some changes to non-urgent appointments, essential services remain fully open for anyone who needs them so if you do require urgent medical help, please continue to come forward.”
Sarah Hayes, at East Kent hospitals, said: “Our teams are working tirelessly under immense pressure to provide safe, compassionate care to every patient who comes through our doors.
“We are doing everything possible to increase capacity for urgent and emergency care and would like to thank our staff, patients, and the public for their continued support, understanding and patience during this challenging period.
“It’s important that anyone who needs urgent medical help continues to come forward, using 999 in life-threatening emergencies and 111 for other urgent care. Anyone who is unsure about where to go should call the NHS on 111, or visit 111.nhs.uk for advice.”
