Surrey and Sussex NHS trust declares 'critical incident'
A Surrey and Sussex NHS trust has declared a ‘critical incident’ due to ‘significant pressure’.
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said ‘some non-urgent appointments’ may be rescheduled, while members of the public have been asked to utilise other NHS services if their condition isn’t life-threatening.
The Trust said cold weather has had an impact on its services due to ‘more frail patients’ being admitted to hospital.
The situation is also being exacerbated by increases in flu and norovirus cases and a rise in staff sickness, according to the NHS trust.
A Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust spokesperson said: “Members of the public can help the local NHS manage these periods of demand by ensuring they are seeking help from the most appropriate health services:
"People should continue to use pharmacies, GP practices, walk-in centres, the NHS App and NHS 111 online or by phone 24/7 for urgent health advice
“People should only use 999 and ED for serious or life-threatening conditions or medical emergencies (when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk).
“Unfortunately, we may need to reschedule some non-urgent appointments to accommodate those patients with the most urgent clinical need.
"People should however continue to attend appointments unless they are contacted by the Trust to reschedule. Cancer and our other most urgent operations will continue to be prioritised.
“If you have a loved one who is ready to be discharged from hospital we would be very grateful for your support in enabling that discharge as quickly and safely as possible.
“In addition, visitors to East Surrey Hospital are also being asked to follow additional infection control measures to help reduce the spread of winter viruses such as Flu and Norovirus – including practicing good hand-hygiene, reducing their movement around the site, and wearing masks in clinical areas.
"Visitors should also consider not visiting the hospital if they have symptoms associated with respiratory conditions, including COVID-19 and flu, or diarrhoea or vomiting.”
Katrina O'Shea, Acting Chief Nurse at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, added:
"East Surrey Hospital is currently experiencing very high demand, alongside increased levels of winter viruses, which is impacting staffing and how we move patients around our site. As a result, our services are under significant pressure.
"Our teams are working around the clock to care for patients, but please only attend East Surrey Hospital in a life-threatening emergency.
“If your condition isn’t life-threatening, please utilise other NHS services such as 111 online, your local pharmacy or GP, as well as nearby treatment centres at Crawley, Caterham Dene, Horsham and East Grinstead.
"This will help ensure emergency care is available to patients who need it most.”