Non-urgent operations are being postponed at Nottingham hospitals after the trust running them declared a critical incident. Bosses say that discharging patients is an "ongoing challenge" and that waiting numbers in hospitals are high as a result.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) therefore declared a critical incident on Wednesday (September 28), which means that patients with the "highest level of need" will be prioritised and that some operations will be postponed. To reduce pressure on emergency departments and ambulances, people are also being asked to use NHS services like the 111 phone line and urgent treatment centres where possible.
Confirming details of the critical incident, NUH said: "Some operations, where patients require a stay in hospital, will be postponed to prioritise patients with the most urgent clinical need. We are extremely sorry we have had to take this step. If you are not contacted directly about an operation being postponed, please continue to attend your appointment as usual.
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"This critical incident is an indication of the serious pressure the system is facing. The local healthcare system is working together to prioritise and maintain safe services for all of our patients."
High numbers of covid cases triggered another critical incident within Nottinghamshire's healthcare system in July, which lasted for almost a week. NUH has stressed that essential services remain open during the critical incident.
The trust said: "Our teams are working 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 someone requires urgent medical help, they should continue to come forward."
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