A critical situation has been declared at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, with patients facing significant delays and a surge in winter infections and staff sickness. The emergency department (ED) at the Queen's Medical Centre (QMC) is experiencing severe pressure, regularly treating over 500 patients daily, far exceeding its capacity of 350. This has led to patients enduring long waits and a poor experience.
The trust's chief operating officer, Andrew Hall, emphasized the unprecedented pressures, stating that demand exceeds capacity. Declaring a critical incident is a necessary step to ensure patient safety. Hall expressed deep regret for the inconvenience and appealed for public understanding and kindness towards staff during this challenging period.
To address the situation, the trust will rearrange elective procedures, open all available beds, and redeploy staff. They will also collaborate with NHS and local partners to expedite discharges and provide community support. Medical director Dr. Manjeet Shehmar advised the public to use the ED only for emergencies, emphasizing the need to call 111 beforehand for appropriate service referrals.
The East Midlands Ambulance Service reported high emergency service usage, urging people to call 999 only for life-threatening situations. This critical incident highlights the strain on healthcare services during winter, prompting discussions on managing patient flow and public awareness.
