‘Critical incident’ declared at hospital in latest NHS crisis as it cancels appointments and mandates face masks
A MAJOR hospital has reintroduced face masks and warned it may have to cancel appointments as it faces a “quad-demic” of winter illnesses.
The combination of Covid-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), norovirus, and the flu surged in December, putting severe pressure on A&E departments up and down the country.
New NHS data shows there was an average of 4,469 patients with the flu in hospital each day last week – almost 3.5 times higher than last year.
It comes as health officials warn of the impact of very cold weather over this weekend on vulnerable patients and the health system.
A hospital in Surrey is the most recent in a flurry of A&E’s to declare a ‘critical incident’ so it can “continue to deliver safe care to those who need it most”, a spokesperson has on its website.
All patients and visitors at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill must now wear a face mask in clinical areas due to an increase in respiratory infections.
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”.
The hospital warned it may be forced to reschedule some non-urgent operations, treatments and outpatient appointments to “accommodate those patients with the most urgent clinical need.”
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.
Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, said the figures show “the pressure from flu was nowhere near letting up before we headed into the New Year, skyrocketing to over 5,000 cases a day in hospital as of the end of last week and rising at a very concerning rate”.
“With what looks like an extreme cold snap expected right across England ahead of the weekend, we know the low temperatures can be dangerous for those who are vulnerable or have respiratory conditions,” he added.
Prof Redhead says people at risk should try and keep warm and make sure they are stocked up on any regular medication.
‘Very few beds’
Meanwhile, 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 at least three hours to see a clinician.
A full list of hospitals that have declared a critcal incident
In December 2024, several hospitals across the UK declared critical incidents due to a surge in winter illnesses,
These include:
- Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust
- Southmead Hospital (North Bristol NHS Trust)
- Great Western Hospital (Swindon)
- Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
- Salisbury District Hospital
- Great Western Hospital (Swindon)
- Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
- St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (London)
- The Royal Liverpool University Hospital
In the west of England, Salisbury District Hospital and Great Western Hospital in Swindon have warned of a very busy period.
Salisbury District Hospital has urged people to consider “alternative” methods of care.
The hospital posted on social media: “Our hospital is very busy. We ask that you consider alternatives such as your GP, local pharmacy, and out of hours, Salisbury Walk In Centre.
“If you are unsure about whether you should go to hospital you can visit NHS 111 online or use the NHS app. Patients should only call 999 or attend A&E if it is an urgent or life-threatening health emergency.”
Meanwhile, the Northern Lincolnshire & Goole NHS Foundation Trust – which serves patients in the north and northeast – pleaded with patients not to attend A&E unless it was a “genuine emergency”.
“Those who don’t require urgent emergency treatment will have a long wait to be seen, as we prioritise the patients most in need,” the trust’s statement read.
Patients in the Southampton area were urged to only head to emergency departments for “life or limb-threatening situations” as hospitals face significant pressure.
In a post to X on New Year’s Eve, Southampton General Hospital chief medical officer Paul Grundy said the service was “incredibly busy” with “huge numbers of patients turning up to the emergency department every day, more than 400 a day at present”.
He said: “Due to the high presence of flu and Covid and other infectious diseases, the hospital itself is very busy and under a lot of pressure with very few beds.”
Separately, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust in the West Midlands also declared a critical incident due to increased numbers of patients seeking hospital care for respiratory illnesses.
How can I protect myself?
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.