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UK Hospitals Overwhelmed: Fifth Trust Declares Critical Incident
14 Jan
Summary
- Fifth NHS trust declared critical incident due to overwhelming demand.
- Severe pressure stems from rising patient numbers and infections.
- Patients face unacceptable waits amid extreme staff and bed shortages.
A critical incident has been declared at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, marking the fifth such declaration within 24 hours as NHS services are overwhelmed. The trust cited severe and sustained pressure from increasing patient numbers, prevalent winter infections like flu and norovirus, and significant staff sickness.
This critical alert, the highest level of NHS alert, signifies that hospitals may need to redirect resources, postpone non-urgent treatments, and seek external assistance. Nottingham University Hospitals Trust is experiencing "significant and unacceptable" delays in A&E and on wards, with emergency departments regularly exceeding capacity.
Similar critical incidents were previously declared by three trusts in Surrey and one in Kent. Health officials are urging the public to utilize alternative services like NHS 111 for non-emergencies, as overcrowding raises concerns about controlling the spread of infections within hospitals.
