FOUR more hospitals have declared ‘critical incidents’ as soaring flu cases leave some patients facing A&E waits of up to 50 hours.
Flu has “skyrocketed” over the festive period, with more than 5,000 patients hospitalised with the virus – quadruple the number compared to the previous month.
Meanwhile, Covid-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and norovirus surged in December, with health chiefs warning this winter could be one of the worst on record.
There are currently no available beds at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital and Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital as soaring flu cases push services to the brink.
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which manages the two hospitals, declared a critical incident this morning and called on the public to help manage the ongoing crisis.
It said their emergency departments were “extremely busy”, meaning there was no capacity to admit more patients in need of care.
Julie Dawes, chief nurse for Hampshire Hospitals, urged local residents to visit the hospitals only if they were “acutely unwell or injured.”
In a statement, published on the Trust’s website, Julie asked those with loved ones in hospital to come and collect patients who are ready for discharge to help free up beds.
“Anyone suffering from a winter virus should stay at home, get plenty of rest, and drink fluids”, she added.
Patients at Royal Liverpool University Hospital’s A&E are facing waits of up to 50 hours after the department hits full capacity, according to the BBC.
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust declared a ‘critical incident’ today and also urged people to only go to A&E in a genuine medical emergency.
The hospital said it was “extremely busy” due to a rising number of patients with flu and other respiratory conditions.
It warned some people would experience delays as it prioritises the sickest patients.
In Cornwall, residents are being urged to seek care from pharmacies, GP practices, or minor injury units for less serious conditions.
This is to help prevent unnecessary pressure on hospital services and ensure care is available for those in urgent need.
A ‘critical incident’ was declared on Friday by the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board due to a period of “sustained pressure” on services.
Health bosses asked people with winter viruses to stay away from the Royal Cornwall Hospital’s A&E department in Truro.
Kate Shields, the board’s chief executive, said in a statement people had been advised to only attend A&E if they had a life or limb-threatening emergency.
Jon Clarke, deputy chief medical officer, said staff sickness was one of the reasons behind the decision and people with signs of viruses like flu had been asked not to attend the hospital.
Ms Shields said there was a high number of ambulances waiting outside the hospital and patients in the emergency department.
“We urgently need the public’s support to make sure we can see those who are sickest and have the greatest need,” Ms Shields said.
“Other NHS services are available, and we encourage you to use them whenever possible.”
In December 2024, several hospitals across the UK declared critical incidents due to a surge in winter illnesses,
These include:
Mr Clarke warned situation might have a “knock-on” effect on some services and lead to appointments being postponed.
Meanwhile, the East Midlands Ambulance Service, covering six counties, has declared its first-ever critical incident due to “significant patient demand, hospital pressures, and flooding.”
Declaring a critical incident can happen when a hospital is experiencing exceptional demand, or sometimes if there is a serious problem with staffing levels.
It indicates it can’t function as normal and allows the hospital, or ambulance service, to take extra measures to protect patients, such as prioritising the most unwell people and getting support from other agencies.
It could last hours, a few days, or weeks if necessary.
A number of hospitals in different regions of England have restricted visiting hours and asked patients and visitors to wear face masks to prevent the spread of the flu virus.
East Surrey Hospital in Redhill declared a ‘critical incident’ last week so it could “continue to deliver safe care to those who need it most”, a spokesperson has on its website.
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust, which operates the hospital asked those with respiratory conditions, including Covid-19 to not visit unless for a booked appointment.
The spokesperson said that “despite the challenges faced, essential services remain open for anyone who needs them”.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust reported that the number of patients needing admission for seasonal illnesses had reached peak levels, with 22 ambulances queued outside Gloucestershire Royal due to overcrowding.
Emergency departments at Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General are very busy and patients might be waiting “longer than we would like”, they added.
“We are seeing a lot of patients with flu and some are quite unwell.
“The number requiring admission, and occasionally intensive care or respiratory high care, is increasing to levels not seen for some time,” the spokesperson said.
“In response, we’ve established cohort bays and wards in line with best practice infection prevention and control standards.”
The trust’s website shows live A&E waiting times at each hospital, with patients visiting Gloucestershire Royal expected to wait five hours to see a clinician.
Getting jabbed is one of the best ways to protect against these winter viruses.
The NHS is pleading with Brits to get vaccinated as cases and hospital admissions rise.
Flu, Covid and RSV vaccines are free to those who meet NHS eligibility criteria.
Adults aged 65 and over, care home residents and people aged six months to 64 years with specific underlying health conditions are all eligible for free Covid and flu jabs on the NHS.
Those not eligible for free vaccines can purchase one from their local chemist. There is some evidence to suggest wearing a face mask can protect you from catching the bugs.
An RSV vaccination programme has recently been deployed by the NHS. As of November 2024. More than one million have received an RSV vaccination.
The jab is available to those considered most vulnerable: older adults aged 75 to 79 and pregnant women.
Those not eligible can purchase a single dose of RSV vaccine from the pharmacy chain Boots for £245.
At this time there are no vaccines for norovirus – though some are in development.
So the best way to protect yourself from norovirus is to properly sanitise your hands, cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues, let fresh air circulate and stay home if you’re unwell.
Delays in the rollout of the RSV vaccine may also mean some vulnerable people received it too late this year to be protected.
