William Harvey Hospital declares critical incident
Beds hit capacity and A&E is under strain
The William Harvey Hospital in Ashford has declared a critical incident after beds across the site reached full capacity.
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust made the announcement yesterday (28 September), citing exceptional demand for its services.
The trust says emergency department attendances are extremely high, leaving very limited capacity to admit further patients who need urgent hospital care.
People with non-life-threatening conditions have been warned they could face an extremely long wait if they attend the emergency department.
What the trust has said
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust said the decision had 'not been taken lightly'.
The trust said: "Our hospitals are seeing very high numbers of patients needing hospital care. Beds across our hospitals are currently full and attendance at our emergency departments is extremely high, meaning there is very limited capacity to admit further patients who need urgent hospital care."
The trust added that its teams continued to work in exceptionally busy conditions to try to ensure patients receive safe, high quality and compassionate care.
Advice for patients
The trust is asking anyone with a non-life-threatening illness or injury to consider alternative services rather than attending the emergency department.
These include NHS 111, a GP, a local pharmacy or an urgent treatment centre.
Advice and guidance is also available at 111.nhs.uk.
The trust says people should only attend the emergency department for a life-threatening illness or injury.
Families and friends of patients who are ready to leave hospital have been asked to collect them at the earliest opportunity, where possible.
Why the decision was made
Declaring a critical incident allows the trust to draw on additional support from partners across the health and care system.
The trust says this includes help with discharging patients who no longer need acute hospital care and support to keep other patients out of hospital altogether.
As part of the response, teams are working with health and care partners to reduce avoidable admissions and speed up safe discharges.
The trust is also reviewing patients who have planned procedures and appointments booked.
Anyone due to attend an appointment or procedure has been told to assume it will go ahead as planned unless they are contacted directly by the trust.
Urgent care still available
The trust says the pressure on its urgent and emergency services remains extremely high, with staff focused on supporting the patients who need them most.
It thanked patients and the public for their continued support during the period of high demand.
Anyone experiencing a life-threatening emergency has been told to continue calling 999.
For other urgent but non-life-threatening care, people are advised to call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk.