Hospitals declare critical incident
It's due to exceptional pressure on services, at both Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust has declared a critical incident, due to exceptional pressure on services, at both Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital.
This is because of a combination of factors, including high numbers of patients requiring care, delays in discharging patients from hospital and significant pressure on local ambulance services. This is impacting Trust's ability to move patients through hospitals safely and as quickly as it would like.
The Trust says its priority is to provide safe care to those who need it most. As part of its response, it's prioritising urgent and emergency treatment, working closely with NHS partners, to improve patient flow and re-deploying staff, to support the busiest areas.
The public is being asked to choose the most appropriate service for their needs.
If your condition is not life-threatening, please consider using:
NHS 111
your local pharmacy
GP services,
walk-in centres
Emergency departments should be used for serious or life-threatening conditions only.
The Trust is thanking staff for their continued hard work and dedication and patients and communities for their support and understanding.