Major hospital declares important incident over ‘exceptionally excessive’ flu instances – as sufferers face wait of as much as 50 hours in A&E
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A major hospital has declared a critical incident due to ‘exceptionally high’ flu cases as patients are faced with up to 50 hours in A&E.
Patients at Liverpool Royal Hospital have been told to visit their GPs or to call 111 unless in an emergency amid high numbers of people going to its A&E department.
On Monday the hospital declared a ‘full capacity’ emergency after some patients were found to have waited as long as 91 hours in the department before being treated, the Mirror reports.
But now, this has now been upgraded to a critical incident.
The NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group said on its Facebook page: ‘Due to high demand on our Emergency Departments, we have declared a critical incident at our Royal Liverpool University Hospital site.’
Patients were urged to contact 101, go to a local pharmacy, a walk-in centre or a GP.
The NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group spokesperson said: ‘Given the exceptionally high demands on our Emergency Department, especially with flu and respiratory illnesses, and the number of patients we have taken this action to support the safe care and treatment of our patients, which is our absolute priority.
Patients at Liverpool Royal Hospital, pictured, have been told to visit their GPs or to call 111 amid high numbers of people going to is A&E department, unless in an emergency
Patients were urged to contact 101, go to a local pharmacy, a walk-in centre or a GP.
‘We have a comprehensive plan in place and are taking all the necessary actions to manage the challenging circumstances facing patients and colleagues currently.
‘We are working with partner organisations to ensure those that are medically fit can leave hospital safely and at the earliest opportunity.
‘Colleagues are working incredibly hard to treat people as quickly as possible, however some people will experience longer waits while we treat our sickest patients.
‘If it is not a medical emergency please consider using other services, such as your GP, local pharmacy or walk-in centre.
‘The NHS 111 service can be used to help identify the most appropriate service for you and help avoid long waits.
‘We have seen an increasing number of people with flu and respiratory illnesses in our Emergency Departments in recent weeks.
‘If you are attending our EDs, patients and visitors should follow some additional infection control measures to help curb the spread of winter viruses such as flu and norovirus.
‘This includes practicing good hand hygiene, only visiting the areas they need to in our hospitals and wearing masks in clinical areas if asked to do so.’
Royal Cornwall Hospital, pictured, has said its services were under ‘significant pressure’ after a critical incident was declared
It comes after last week Royal Cornwall Hospital also declared a critical incident, saying its services were under ‘significant pressure’.
Bosses reached the decision on Friday evening after a week of sustained pressure on the main hospital and emergency department.
Kate Shields, chief executive of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly integrated care board said: ‘We are currently seeing a high number of ambulances waiting outside the Royal Cornwall Hospital and of patients in our emergency department.
‘There are also a large number of patients in Cornwall’s hospitals who are medically fit to be discharged but are awaiting the right care.
‘Declaring a critical incident allows the NHS to take additional, immediate steps to create capacity, help discharge patients, relieve pressure on our emergency department and release ambulances and their crews.’
She continued: ‘We urgently need the public’s support to make sure we can see those who are sickest and have the greatest need. Please only come to the emergency department if you have a life or limb-threatening emergency.
‘Other NHS services are available, and we encourage you to use them whenever possible. These include our network of minor injury units, our urgent treatment centre at West Cornwall Hospital, out-of-hours GP services, local pharmacies and NHS 111.’
Sir Keir Starmer pledged yesterday to make better use of the private sector to treat NHS patients for free so people can be seen more quickly for a wider range of issues
GPs will be forced to actively tell patients when they can get their scans, tests or operations at a private clinic (file photo)
While patient groups welcomed the announcement, critics questioned how the plans would be executed given the shortage of healthcare staff (file photo)
Yesterday the government announced plans which will see millions more NHS patients receive free treatment in private hospitals in a bid to slash waiting lists.
The Prime Minister pledged to make ‘better use’ of the private sector so sick patients can be seen quicker for a range of issues.
GPs will be forced to actively tell patients when they can get their scans, tests or operations at private clinics.
And appointments will be booked via an updated NHS App or website, which will tell users their expected waiting times at each NHS and private provider, the distance from their home and their care quality ratings.
Patients can then choose between them, with taxpayers footing the bill regardless of the option selected.
Patient groups last night welcomed the announcement but critics questioned how the extra appointments will be delivered given the country’s shortage of healthcare staff.
The policy is expected to see the number of appointments delivered by the private sector increase by at least a fifth, from 5 million to more than 6 million, each year.
It means private providers are likely to pocket an extra £2.5billion a year in government funding – taking their annual income from the Department of Health and Social Care to almost £16billion.
