Four hospital trusts have announced critical incidents as a result of significant and sustained pressures in their services. Contributing factors include a rise in flu and norovirus cases, along with staff absences. The recent cold weather conditions have also led to increased patient demand for 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, the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, managed by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, has also declared a critical incident.

Surrey Heartlands stated that the critical incidents were declared to ensure safe and high-quality care for patients amidst significant ongoing pressure. The surge in complex A&E attendances and challenges in discharging patients have necessitated these actions. The situation is further compounded by increased flu and norovirus cases, staff sickness, and the impact of cold weather on frail patients requiring hospital admission.

Dr. Charlotte Canniff, Joint Chief Medical Officer of NHS Surrey Heartlands, explained that the decision to escalate to a critical incident was made to maintain safe services and cope with mounting pressures. Some non-urgent operations, treatments, and outpatient appointments may need to be rescheduled to prioritize patients with urgent clinical needs. Patients are advised to attend appointments unless notified otherwise, with a focus on prioritizing urgent operations like cancer treatments.

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust also declared a critical incident due to a high volume of Emergency Department visits and patients awaiting inpatient ward admission. Efforts are being made to discharge patients safely and improve hospital flow, urging the public to access appropriate healthcare services for their needs.

The trusts mentioned – 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 – operate various hospitals across their respective regions, providing essential acute care services.

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