CRITICAL Incidents have been declared by three NHS trusts and one ambulance service amid growing pressure on the health system.
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust and the East of England Ambulance Service have all activated the alert.
South Western Ambulance Service has also declared a critical incident due to being under “extreme pressure”.
The Surrey and Sussex trusts said they had seen “record numbers” of people attending accident and emergency departments, calling 111, accessing GP services and calling 999.
It comes just days after ambulance staff across the country went on strike.
Just last week, staff also announced further strike action, which is set to take place in January.
And as Brits gear up to celebrate New Year, some NHS trusts have urged people to bring along their own medical kits due to staff shortages.
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, which has urged people to only call 999 or use the emergency department for life-threatening illnesses and injuries, tweeted the advice ahead of the upcoming celebrations.
It said: “Heading to #Cornwall this #NewYear? Just in case, be wise and bring these three self-care kings! Pain relief, flu and cold remedy and rehydration powders. And don’t forget to pack any prescription medicines, too. #HelpUsHelpYou”.
The trust attached an image detailing what people should have in a first aid kit, including bandages, dressings, tweezers, scissors, antiseptic and medical tape.
Medics today said that the NHS was in a ‘desperate state of affairs’.
Dr Iain Kennedy said there needs to be a ‘national discussion’ about the health of the NHS.
“All the statistics tell us that it’s a desperate state of affairs. Things are as bad, or worse, than they have ever been. Winter is a meaningless term now – this entire year has been winter.
“But looking beyond the statistics, looking at the people behind the statistics, the picture being painted is even more grim and concerning,” he told ITV.
