Critical incidents are being declared by ambulance trusts and hospitals which warn they're at breaking point across the country as patients flood the NHS.
Due to "unprecedented" pressure during the festive period bosses have decided to make the devastating move - which means health trusts cannot provide usual critical services and patients may face harm.
The majority of ambulance services in England declared critical incidents last week ahead of strikes and the Christmas period.
The GMB union announced in early December that more than 10,000 ambulance workers across nine trusts in England and Wales would walk out on December 21 and 28.
The union postponed and re-scheduled the industrial action planned for yesterday, Wednesday December 28.
It will now take place on Wednesday, January 11 as a "thank you to the public" for their "incredible support", according to a GMB statement.
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
The trust serves a growing population of around 535,000 and has declared a critical incident on Wednesday, December 28.
Dr Robert Galloway, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Royal Sussex County Hospital, said he had seen "nothing like this".
A spokeswoman said: "Due to the significant ongoing pressure on local NHS services, alongside the need to act swiftly to ensure patients continue to receive safe, high quality care, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust has declared a critical incident.
"We are seeing record numbers of people attending A&E, calling NHS111, accessing GP services and calling 999; ongoing challenges in discharging patients who are well enough to leave hospital to create capacity for patients coming in; and we are seeing an increase in staff sickness - all of which has led to longer waits than we would like for patients to receive the care they need.
"Because of these pressures, the Trust has taken the decision to escalate to a critical incident which allows us to be able to take additional steps to maintain safe services for our patients and help us cope with the growing pressures.
"Our teams continue to work exceptionally hard; and we would like to reassure our patients and the public that despite the challenges faced, essential services remain fully open for anyone who needs them so if you require urgent medical help, please continue to come forward.
"People should continue to attend planned appointments unless they are contacted."
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust
Staff at Sandwell General Hospital and Birmingham City Hospital were told the trust was "stretched to capacity" as a critical incident was declared on Wednesday.
The update, sent around to workers at the trust, told them to cancel all non-essential business and meetings which do not have an impact on the care they provide.
It read: "We are currently seeing immense pressure on our services and have had to declare a critical incident at our trust due to exceptionally high numbers of patients waiting in our A&E departments at each of our hospital.
"Colleagues are working tirelessly to provide the best care possible under these challenging circumstances, but it is clear that we are stretched to capacity.
"We are doing everything we can to manage the situation, including calling in additional staff and offering targeted support to those departments under pressure."
East of England Ambulance
The East of England Ambulance Service has declared a critical incident status for the second time this month amid a high volume of 999 calls and hospital handover delays.
The service covers Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
A spokesman said: "Declaring a Business Continuity Incident means we can ensure our resources are focused on patients with the greatest need, as well as allowing us to access wider support from our health and care partners.
"Our staff continue to work incredibly hard in challenging circumstances, to respond to calls and incidents as quickly as possible.
"If you need to contact us because of a life-threatening condition or serious injury, then call 999. For everything else, we would urge you to please use 111 online, speak to your GP or use a minor injuries centre.
South Western Ambulance Service
The trust, which looks after more than five million people and covers Bristol, North Somerset including Bath, and South Gloucestershire, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire, declared a critical incident on Wednesday.
Bosses urged the public to think carefully before dialling 999 due to the extreme demand it is currently facing following the four-day Christmas break.
By 11.30am on Wednesday, December 28 there were 482 patients waiting for ambulances across the South West, with 106 patients awaiting handover at hospitals across the South West.
Deputy Director of Operations, Wayne Darch, said: “Please help us to help the patients who need us most by only calling 999 if a patient has a life-threatening condition or illness.
"If the condition of a patient is not life-threatening we may direct them to an alternative service. So please help us by accessing the right service for the care you need.
“We are doing all we can to manage these winter pressures and we are sorry that we are unable to respond to some patients as quickly as we would like. We will get to you as soon as we can.
“Please do not call back simply to ask for an estimated time of arrival of an ambulance. We cannot provide one, and it blocks our lines for other callers.
“I’d like to reiterate SWASFT’s thanks to our people and all our NHS partners working to deliver the best possible care they can for patients over the festive period.”
University Hospitals Trust Leicester
Patients at University Hospital Trust Leicester have been requested to call 111 instead of 999 as a result of the high number of people attending A&E - unless absolutely necessary.
A statement blamed the "challenging ambulance handover situation" as well as issues with discharging patients.
The critical incident covers Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester General Hospital and Glenfield Hospital.
Julie Hogg, Chief Nurse at Leicester’s Hospitals said: “At 7am today (Friday 30 December), University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust declared a critical incident in response to high levels of patient attendance, a challenging ambulance handover situation and limited ability to discharge patients to onward care or home.
“The safety of patients and the wellbeing of our colleagues remain our top priorities as we work to care for the people who need us. As we approach the New Year Bank Holiday weekend, we urge people to call or go online to NHS 111 if a medical need is not life-threatening.
"This ensures that you get to the right place of care for your needs and the emergency department is available for those who need it.”
Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Hampshire and Isle of Wight declared a critical incident because of rising rates of flu and having nearly all beds across the area full of patients.
It recommended people have a supply of paracetamol and ibuprofen ready at home to treat ailments such as coughs and colds.
Nicky Lucey, Chief Nursing Officer for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, said: “Health and care services throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are currently experiencing incredibly high demand which has meant that a critical incident has been declared today.
“We appeal for your help today due to the significant pressure that continues to be felt throughout the health and care system since the Christmas weekend.
“Dedicated teams are working day and night to give patients the care that they need as soon as possible. We recognise during this period of significant pressure that it is not always possible to give this care as quickly as we would like.
"This is why we need your help once again during the busy New Year period.”
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
The critical incident has been declared for Stoke Mandeville Hospital where the emergency department is under “significant pressure”.
A statement adds patients are experiencing “very long waits”.
It reads: “Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has declared a critical incident due to severe and sustained operational pressures across our Trust.
“Our focus is making sure our patients are safe and that we keep our critical services running for our most vulnerable residents.
“We are working with our partners within the NHS and social care to assist us with patient flow and safe discharge.”
