Four NHS hospital trusts across southern England have been forced to declare critical incidents, the health service's highest alert level, following a severe and sudden surge in emergency admissions.
Winter Viruses Overwhelm Emergency Departments
The crisis has been triggered by a sharp rise in patients presenting with winter illnesses. Three trusts in Surrey and one in Kent have escalated their status after a significant influx of complex cases into their Accident and Emergency departments. Health bosses cite a combination of flu, norovirus, and respiratory viruses as the primary drivers, compounded by higher levels of staff sickness.
NHS Surrey Heartlands, which oversees the affected Surrey trusts, confirmed the situation. The impacted organisations are the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, and Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. Officials stated the recent cold weather has also led to more frail patients requiring hospital admission, further straining capacity.
Hospitals at Full Capacity
In Kent, the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust declared a critical incident specifically at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM). The trust reported "exceptionally high demand" with beds across its sites at full capacity. The high attendance at A&E has resulted in "very limited capacity to admit further patients who need acute care."
A critical incident is enacted when NHS services, particularly A&E departments, may not be able to deliver all services safely. This status allows management to take immediate and extraordinary measures to free up beds and resources, which can include postponing some non-urgent appointments and procedures.
Public Urged to Use Services Appropriately
Despite the extreme pressures, health leaders have moved to reassure the public. Dr Charlotte Canniff, Joint Chief Medical Officer for NHS Surrey Heartlands, emphasised that essential services remain fully operational. She urged anyone requiring urgent medical help to continue coming forward.
Sarah Hayes of East Kent Hospitals echoed this sentiment, praising staff working under "immense pressure." She reiterated vital advice for the public: Use 999 for life-threatening emergencies only. For other urgent care needs, contact NHS 111 online or by phone for guidance on the appropriate service.
The declarations highlight the intense seasonal pressure facing the NHS, with a perfect storm of seasonal viruses, cold weather, and staffing challenges pushing emergency care to its limits in parts of the country.
