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Surrey Hospital Declares Critical Incident Amidst Heatwave
22 Jun
Summary
- East Surrey Hospital in Redhill declared a critical incident.
- High demand and heatwave have strained emergency services.
- Non-urgent appointments are being rescheduled to prioritize critical care.
East Surrey Hospital, located in Redhill, has declared a critical incident. This measure was implemented because the hospital's emergency care services are experiencing exceptionally high demand. The surge in demand is reportedly exacerbated by the current high temperatures.
As a result of this critical incident, the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust has begun rescheduling some non-urgent appointments. This action is necessary to ensure that patients with the most urgent clinical needs receive timely care. A critical incident is defined as a situation where a service faces extreme pressure, jeopardizing its capacity to deliver safe and effective patient care.
The trust is urging the public to seek alternative avenues for non-urgent medical advice. Options include pharmacies, GP practices, walk-in centers, and utilizing the NHS App or calling NHS 111. While essential services remain fully open, attendance at the hospital is strongly advised only for life-threatening emergencies. Urgent operations, including cancer treatments, will continue to be prioritized. The trust also requested support from the public in facilitating the safe and timely discharge of patients ready to leave the hospital.
