Four hospital trusts have announced critical incidents due to significant and ongoing pressures in their services. The surge in flu and norovirus cases, coupled with staff absences, has worsened the situation. NHS Surrey Heartlands mentioned that recent cold weather conditions have also prompted more patients to seek medical care.
In Surrey, three trusts – Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, and Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust – have declared critical incidents. Additionally, due to sustained pressures at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust has also declared a critical incident.
According to Surrey Heartlands, the critical incidents allow trusts to focus on critical services amidst a surge in complex A&E attendances and challenges in discharging patients efficiently. The situation is compounded by rising flu and norovirus cases, staff sickness, and increased hospital admissions due to the cold weather.
Dr. Charlotte Canniff, Joint Chief Medical Officer of NHS Surrey Heartlands, emphasized the need for additional measures to ensure patient safety and cope with escalating pressures. Non-urgent operations and appointments may need rescheduling to prioritize urgent clinical needs. Patients are advised to attend appointments unless contacted, with priority given to urgent treatments like cancer care.
Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust highlighted the high influx of patients in their Emergency Department and the efforts to improve patient flow while urging the public to access appropriate healthcare services based on their needs.
The trusts mentioned, including Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, and East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, play critical roles in providing healthcare services across their respective regions.