Nottingham NHS trust declares critical incident over extreme pressure

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 18:03 · Archive

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has declared a critical incident following record patient attendances at its emergency departments.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) declared a critical incident on Tuesday following record patient attendances at its emergency departments. The trust, which manages Nottingham City Hospital and Queen's Medical Centre, said its staff were working under 'extreme pressure', with patients facing 'unacceptable and lengthy waits on corridors'.

When the critical incident was declared, the trust reported more than 100 patients were waiting to be seen in A&E. Additionally, more than 200 patients who were medically safe to leave were occupying hospital beds, equivalent to nearly eight wards. A&E attendances in September this year increased by 2,000 compared to September the previous year, with the trust recording three of its highest attendance figures in history within a fortnight.

NUH identified particularly high numbers of cardiology patients requiring intensive levels of care over prolonged periods as a contributing factor to the pressures. The trust said this required resources to be redirected from other areas, adding to strain across the hospitals.

Tracy Pilcher, chief nurse at NUH, said the trust had been 'working hard' to mitigate the pressures by focusing on getting patients seen and home 'quickly and safely'. She acknowledged that 'significant waits to be seen and corridor care is not the way our staff want to work or our patients want to be seen', and said the trust was 'very sorry' for the situation.

Sky News reported that the critical incident has since ended after the number of people waiting for assessment in A&E 'dropped significantly'. However, hospital bosses warned that patients still face 'long waits'.

How it is being reported

• Nottingham hospitals declare critical incident over ‘unacceptable waits and risk of harm’Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) has seen "record breaking attendances and sustained pressure" on services in the last two weeksThe Mirror · 21 Oct, 13:10
• Critical incident at NHS trust ends but patients still face 'long waits'A critical incident at a NHS Trust has ended after the number of people waiting for assessment in A&E "dropped significantly" - but hospital bosses warned patients still face "long waits".Sky News · 21 Oct, 12:00
• Critical incident declared by NHS trust with hospitals under ‘extreme pressure’The critical incident was announced on Tuesday while more than 200 patients who are medically safe to leave remain in hospital bedsThe Independent · 20 Oct, 16:30

In this story: Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust · Nottingham City Hospital · Queen's Medical Centre · Tracy Pilcher

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