West Midlands hospital declares ’critical incident' as 15 ambulances queue outside A&E
One of the UK's largest NHS Trusts, based in the West Midlands, has declared a “critical incident” after demand for emergency care hit extreme levels - with 15 ambulances seen queuing outside one hospital.
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NHS trusts up and down the country have warned of the extreme pressure A&E departments are facing, as they battle winter virus cases, including flu.
A queue of 15 ambulances stretched out in front on University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust on Tuesday (7/1) afternoon.Facing a surge in demand due to season illnesses, health bosses say staff are working under “extreme pressure”.
This means care services are so busy that special measures are needed to restore normal operations and keep patients safe.
Margaret Garbett, chief nurse at the trust, said: “This significant and sustained pressure is due in part to exceptional numbers of patients with flu requiring admission to hospital, this has now reached 311 inpatients and measures including mask-wearing in all departments is also being introduced.
“Despite expanding capacity in our wards and in our emergency departments, A&E remains overcrowded with extended waits to be seen.
“We are asking the communities we serve to think carefully about how they access healthcare - if you do not have an emergency or life-threatening condition you may be redirected to another healthcare service such as a pharmacy or NHS 111.
“Local people can check the alternatives and see the current waiting times on our website."
The trust employs 20,000 people and runs four hospitals, including the flagship Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, across the West Midlands.
As of Tuesday afternoon, waiting times ranged from three hours and 53 minutes at Good Hope Hospital A&E to five hours 43 minutes at Heartlands Hospital Emergency Department.
