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Nottingham Hospitals Declare Critical Incident Amidst Patient Surge
13 Feb
Summary
- Hospitals declared a critical incident due to increased respiratory patients.
- Significant demand led to unacceptable and lengthy waits in corridors.
- Staff asked to work extra shifts and more beds are being created.
Nottingham University Hospitals trust declared a critical incident on February 13, 2026, due to a substantial rise in patients presenting with respiratory illnesses. This led to unprecedented demand on A&E services, causing significant disruptions and lengthy waits for patients. The trust's chief operating officer acknowledged these delays were unacceptable and apologized to affected patients.
This critical incident, the highest alert level in the NHS, was deemed necessary to protect patient safety amidst overwhelming pressures. The situation is exacerbated by patients who are medically fit to go home but remain in hospital, hindering staff's ability to cope with increasing demand.
The trust aims to discharge 200 patients by the end of the day. This action is part of a broader effort to alleviate pressure, which also includes asking staff to work additional shifts and creating more hospital beds. The rise in respiratory cases follows a surge in norovirus and flu cases earlier in the year.
More than half of adult beds are occupied by individuals over 80, a demographic more vulnerable to infections. The trust is prioritizing the sickest patients and advises the public to carefully consider their need to attend A&E.
