Two of South's biggest hospitals declare critical incidents
Bosses in Southampton and Portsmouth say they're experiencing 'extreme demand'
Last updated 20th Dec 2022
Tow major hospitals here in the south have each declared a critical incident as demand continues to grow on the health service.
Southampton General Hospital bosses say the site is seeing 'unprecedented numbers' coming to A&E for care, along with high numbers of patients being admitted for flu and other winter illnesses.
The A&E department at Portsmouth's QA hospital is also said to be full, with limited space to treat patients with life-threatening conditions.
Dr Trevor Smith, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the University Hospital Southampton trust, said:
"We have been forced to take the decision to declare a critical incident as we are facing significant and sustained pressure from the front door to the back of our hospitals.
"Our priority is having the capacity and ability to provide care to those who most urgently need it.
“We need the local community to help us by helping patients get home as soon as possible and only using the Emergency Department for life threatening conditions and injuries.
“Our immediate priority is to ensure there are beds available for our most seriously ill patients and we are focussed on safely discharging as many patients as possible. We ask that families and loved ones support us with this and collect patients as soon as they are ready to go home.
“We also urge you to not attend the ED unless it’s an emergency and make use of other services in the community such as pharmacists, GPs and urgent treatment centres who may be able to help you quicker."
Bosses at the QA have apologised, saying say there are unacceptable delays but staff are doing everything in their power to meet the current demand.
In a statement, the Trust said: "Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust have declared a critical incident today (Tuesday 20 December) to protect patient safety as a result of extreme and sustained pressure on services across Portsmouth and South East Hampshire resulting in significant delays for patients requiring emergency care.
"Demand for an emergency response is far outstripping the capacity available in Portsmouth and South East Hampshire at this time.
"There are significant and unacceptable delays currently and we apologise for this. We are doing everything in our power to meet the current demand.
"Our capacity will only be used for life threatening conditions or injuries.
"Ensuring patients can get home quickly to their loved ones after their stay in hospital is really important for their care and outcome. It also means that we can prepare the bed space for our next patient who needs our help.
"As a friend or relative of someone in hospital, there are a few things you should do to help to get them home quickly:
- On admission, give the nursing staff contact details of any services which your loved one will need to have rearranged before discharge, for example, carers.
- Arrange transport home from hospital wherever possible
- Make sure they have their medication and dressings, if applicable, before leaving the hospital.
- Ask about outpatient appointments if relevant, making sure they know where they need to go, for example, a hospital or GP surgery. They will also need to know if they need to make the appointment.
- Ask for a copy of their discharge letter.
- Take clothes and shoes to the hospital.
"We are working closely with our partners across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight who are also taking all critical incident actions to provide capacity in all services.
"Thank you for all your support during this difficult and busy time."
Useful links
NHS 111 - click here |newtab).
Health and Care Portsmouth - click here |newtab).
Urgent care services - click here |newtab).
Your local pharmacy - click here |newtab).
Health and social care services in Portsmouth - click here |newtab).
Health and social care services in Hampshire - click here.