Four NHS trusts in England declare critical incidents after surge' in A&E admissions

"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."

"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"

Four NHS hospital trusts in England declared critical incidents following a surge in complex A&E attendances driven largely by flu, norovirus and other respiratory viruses. Three trusts in Surrey and one in Kent reported exceptionally high demand and rising admission rates. NHS Surrey Heartlands said increases in viral cases and staff sickness, together with cold weather affecting frailer patients, exacerbated pressure across multiple hospitals. East Kent hospitals trust reported beds across its hospitals were at full capacity, creating very limited ability to admit additional acute patients. Critical incidents enable immediate steps to create capacity. Essential services remain open despite some changes to non-urgent appointments.

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