Nottingham University Hospitals Declares Critical Incident Amid Overwhelming Demand
Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) has officially declared a critical incident following a week of intense pressure on its services, particularly in Accident and Emergency departments. The trust, one of the largest in the UK, cited "significant demand" that has led to patients enduring "unacceptable and lengthy waits" in hospital corridors.
Unprecedented Strain on A&E Services
Andrew Hall, Chief Operating Officer at NUH, expressed deep concern over the situation. "We have been working tirelessly all week to mitigate the pressures we are currently seeing, but this has not had the desired impact," he stated. "Declaring a critical incident is necessary to protect patient safety." Mr Hall issued a formal apology to all patients who have experienced prolonged waiting times, acknowledging the distress caused by the delays.
The hospital trust has identified a sharp increase in patients presenting with respiratory issues, which has severely strained A&E capacity. Compounding the crisis, more than half of the adult beds across NUH facilities are currently occupied by patients aged over 80. This demographic often faces more complex health challenges, leading to longer hospital stays and further congestion.
Urgent Measures to Alleviate Pressure
In response to the escalating crisis, NUH has implemented several emergency measures:
- Staff have been asked to work additional shifts to bolster frontline services.
- The trust is creating additional bed space to improve patient flow through the hospitals.
- A major push is underway to discharge patients who can safely return home, with a goal of sending 200 patients home by the end of Friday.
Mr Hall made a direct appeal to families and carers, urging them to prioritize getting patients home even if it requires leaving work early. "We need to free up beds for those in critical need," he emphasized.
Public Advisory and Trust Profile
With staff operating under extreme pressure, the trust has issued a public health advisory. Patients are being asked to carefully consider whether a visit to A&E is absolutely necessary, to help reduce the burden on emergency services. NUH, which employs over 19,000 staff and is the largest employer in Nottinghamshire, manages several major sites including Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham City Hospital, and Ropewalk House.
The declaration of a critical incident underscores the severe challenges facing the NHS, as hospitals grapple with rising demand and limited resources. The trust continues to monitor the situation closely, with updates expected as efforts to stabilize services progress.
